MANILA – The national women’s football team aims to prepare for their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup stint by shooting for a gold medal in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam this May.
According to Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta, a SEA Games gold is definitely one of the targets of Malditas after reaching the semifinals of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup in India.
“I think they see the importance of the SEA Games. Wala pa tayong gold ever since sa football. Hopefully this will be historic also in the SEA Games,” Araneta said at Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
During the 2019 SEA Games held in the Philippines, the Malditas placed fourth with Sarina Bolden, Quinley Quezada and Eva Madarang, the notable players who were in the roster.
Apart from the SEA Games, Araneta said, the Malditas also has scheduled tournaments in the AFF Women’s Championship in Manila, and the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September.
“I think depende ‘yan sa availability but we will make it a point to the players that this three tournaments are part of the preparation for the World Cup,” Araneta said
“I think lahat ng players are willing to sacrifice again for another 15 months just to play in the biggest spectacle in women’s football,” added the Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo-native football official.
Araneta also said the PFF is willing to compensate the players who will take part in the build-up to have the most prepared team for the World Cup, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023.
“We are willing to compensate them, especially ‘yung mga nagtatrabaho na, just to be with the team. Hindi biro ‘tong kalaban. Lahat ng teams doon, ka-level nila Australia or better than Australia,” Araneta said.
The national women’s football team clinched a spot in the AFC Asian Cup semifinals following a close 4-3 triumph over Chinese-Taipei on Sunday. The Malditas will battle South Korea in the semis tonight./PN
