Welsh manager praises Phl women’s squad

They might have lost to Wales, 1-0, in the 2023 Pinatar Cup but the Filipinas made sure the win won’t be handed on a silver platter.

Welsh women’s team manager Gemma Grainger said in an article on BBC Sport Wales that she commends the Filipinas’ organization and hustle during the game.

Kayleigh Green’s penalty kick in the first half was the lone goal of the game at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain early Thursday (Manila time).

“Today, being able to play against a team playing at the World Cup this summer, to test ourselves, it was a tough game, they sat in deep and made us work,” Grainger said.

“They were really well organized, the players were excellent though in how relentless they were. We probably could have had more goals but the three points are the main thing.”

Wales, No. 32 on the International Football Federation women’s rankings, failed to qualify for the biggest football spectacle in the world after a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland, one of the Filipinas’ opponents in the upcoming World Cup, in a playoff final last October.

Philippine head coach Alen Stajcic admitted going up against a high-class team like Wales really required them to bring out their best despite the tournament serving as a preparation for the World Cup.

He also said the lessons they learned are hopefully applied in the Filipinas’ next game in the Pinatar Cup against Scotland on 18 February.

“In the first and second half, we worked extremely hard against an opponent that only missed out on the World Cup from UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), the strongest continent in women’s football. We played against a match-hardened team,” Stajcic said.

“A lot of things to look forward to in the next week and hopefully we can freshen the squad up for game 2 and see how we go against Scotland who are as good as a team or even better (than Wales).”