WELLINGTON — Alen Stajcic hopes that the Philippine Women’s National Football Team’s match against the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosts, New Zealand, at the Wellington Regional Stadium, will leave a lasting legacy for the growth of the sport in both nations.
It is common knowledge that football is not the number one sport in the two countries. Basketball rules in the Philippines, while New Zealand has Rugby union — symbolized by their legendary All Blacks team that won the Rugby World Cup in 1987, 2011, and 2015.
Amidst the backdrop of the Filipinas needing to win to keep their hopes of advancing out of Group A, the former Central Coast Mariners coach had one eye on what he hopes will be the long-term consequences of the match.
“As to whether we can do it tomorrow or not, I don’t know. We want to crush the party, and it’s not really their party, it’s everyone’s party. It’s our party as well. Regardless of which country it’s in, it’s fantastic that the World Cup is here in Australia, and the support has been amazing,” said Stajcic.
“Just watching 39-40,000 people last night in Sydney was amazing. But football in all our countries is not number one. It’s not in the Philippines, New Zealand, or Australia.
“We need to do everything we can to bolster the support for the sport, for women’s football, and make sure we use these moments and treasure them and really build on them. Not only for now but to leave a legacy for the future as well,” he continued.
Tomorrow’s match promises to be another sellout. Over 40,000 fans trooped to witness the Football Ferns win 1-0 over Norway, thanks to Hannah Wilkinson’s 48th-minute strike.
Despite being outnumbered, Filipinos will make their voices heard in support of the Filipinas. A certain number of Filipino expatriates will take part in a street dance near the stadium in “Ati-Atihan” attire before eventually making their way into the venue.
Filipino expatriates here prepping for their “Ati-Atihan”-inspired pep rally for Filipinas. Photo courtesy of David Unwin of the Dominion Post
Stajcic, though, would not be surprised if the Filipino supporters still find a way to make themselves heard during the match itself. Filipino support has been a recurring theme throughout his tenure, regardless of where he and the team played, and it will not be different tomorrow.
“Wherever we go, arriving at the airport, just then, the New Zealand team arrived two minutes before us, and there were a couple of hundred Filipino fans greeting both teams. In Dunedin, the Mayor of Dunedin said he felt like it was a home game for us. I know from having grown up in western Sydney how many Filipinos have spread out across my area as well,” he said.
“We’ve become really close, even just growing up with such a big Filipino heritage in my community as well. Wherever we’ve traveled around the world, there’s been a massive engagement with the local communities. In Costa Rica, where I thought there’d be none, there were 50 odd ones in there, bringing food and gifts to the team,” he continued.
“We’ve really felt that connection all around the world, regardless of where we played. And I think the ambassador said that New Zealand has the third-highest population of Filipinos in New Zealand.”
“So it’s just wonderful for them to come out and support football. And while basketball is number one in the Philippines, it’s time for football to stand on its feet and start competing and garnering the attention of young boys and girls to inspire them to think that football can be the sport of choice for Filipinos as well as all around the world.”
Stajcic stressed that his players will have to focus on their counterparts on the pitch rather than those watching in the stands. The challenge to mainly focus on the Football Ferns may be daunting, but it is one that the Filipinas must do to have a chance of winning.
Nevertheless, to be in this situation is a blessing and is a milestone that shows how far the Philippines has come in the international arena.
“I just think it’s brilliant, unbelievable, magical to have that much support for a national team here. They broke the record the other day for a football match in New Zealand. So to have football making inroads into the rugby codes that are here and are number one, obviously is magnificent,” said the former Australian national team coach.
“I noticed a journalist in Sydney tried to take a bit of a dig at Football Australia the other day and got squashed down pretty quickly. So this is our moment to shine and celebrate our game. And the fact that men and women can play on an equal level is unique and really special. It’s just a special moment,” he continued.
“I actually embrace the crowd. I wish it was bigger. I wish the stadium was even bigger. It’s a brilliant stadium, but I wish it was even bigger. But the more people that can watch these girls play, the more enjoyment they’re going to get, and the more our sport’s gonna grow.”
