Filipinas now rated world No. 49
The Philippine women’s national football team reached a milestone after rising to world No. 49 in the latest International Football Federation women’s rankings.
Alen Stajcic, the Australian head coach of the squad also known as Filipinas, feels all the sacrifices the past year or so are starting to pay off.
This is the country’s best FIFA ranking up to date as the national team gears up for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.
“Another amazing milestone for the Team on this journey to the World Cup. Another record for the country,” Stajcic said.
“And further objective confirmation that we are heading in the right direction.”
The Filipinas are currently preparing for the first round of the Paris Olympic qualifiers this April at Tajikistan before tackling the 32nd Southeast Asian Games this May at Phnom Penh in May.
The Philippine Football Federation is especially proud of the team’s historic feat, encouraging the country to support the Filipinas in their campaign for the biggest football spectacle in the world.
“We hope that the rest of the country, especially the sporting youth, takes inspiration from the Filipinas and their achievements. These are exciting times and the PFF prays that the Filipino nation continues supporting the Filipinas at the FIFA
Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July 2023,” the PFF leadership said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine men’s national football team absorbed a 2-0 loss in a friendly game against Kuwait at the Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium in Kuwait City last Saturday (Manila time).
Midfielder Bader Tareq scored a breakthrough goal in the 71st minute after slotting home a free kick against Azkals and Birmingham City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
Ali Khalaf added another goal in the 84th minute to seal the win for the Kuwaitis.
This is the first of the two friendly matches for the Azkals in their training camp in West Asia.
This is also the new Philippine men’s national football team head coach Barae Jrondi’s first official match for the Philippines.
The Azkals will face Jordan on 28 March at 2:30 a.m. (Manila time).