Pinay booters eye SEAG stint

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) wants a more intensive preparation for the Phl women’s team that’s set to slug it out with the continent’s elite lady booters in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan.

The Filipinas had overcome short preparation and personnel woes in the qualifiers to book a place to Asia’s showpiece tournament against powerhouses Australia, China, and Japan as well as host Jordan and moreestablished sides Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

PFF president Nonong Araneta said to get the ball rolling, they want to send the team to battle in the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.

“We have to join the Southeast Asian Games. Hopefully, they will allow us to join,” Araneta said, hoping to convince the Philippine Olympic Committee- Philippine Sports Commission SEAG task force that screens delegates to give the Pinay XI the greenlight.

“After the SEA Games, we have to assess the team and really prepare for the big one (Women’s Asian Cup) because we’re not just going to be playing our former oppositions in the qualifiers but we’ll be playing against China, Australia and Japan, which are much higher level than us,” said Araneta.

Phl has qualified for the Women’s Asian Cup for the first time since the current qualification format was implemented. The Pinay booters joined the “Elite 8” after finishing runner-up to Jordan in the Group A qualifiers held in Tajikistan last month.

“I’m proud of what they achieved. You know, we’re one of the eight in Jordan (Woman’s Asian Cup final round) so it’s a big positive for women’s football in the Philippines,” said Araneta.