Upcoming SEA Games part of FIFA Women's World Cup preps, says PFF chief

With around three months left before the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is already looking forward to the tournament as part of its preparations for the Philippine women's national team's journey to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

While PFF president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta said the roster will depend on the availability of each player, the football association will emphasize the importance of the biennial meet in the World Cup preparations.

"We will make it a point to the players na this will be a part of the preparation for the World Cup, and I think naman lahat ng players diyan are willing to sacrifice again for another 15 months just to play in the biggest spectacle in women's football," Araneta said in a virtual forum with the Philippine Sportswriters Association on Tuesday.

"We're willing to compensate them, kasi issue sa mga nagtatrabaho, we're willing to compensate them just to be with the team," he added. "'Di na biro ang mga kalaban mo doon."

After the women's team's stint in the ongoing AFC Women's Asian Cup, Araneta said the training will be continuous until next year, with the FIFA Women's World Cup slated for July 20-August 20, 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.

"We should really be prepared and in the SEA Games, we will also be facing Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, which are ranked higher than us and it will be a good gauge of how we will progress later," Araneta said.

The Philippines is currently at no. 64 in the world rankings, while Vietnam ranks highest among Southeast Asian countries at no. 32. Thailand is at no. 38 while Myanmar is at no. 47.

Once they are successful in convincing the players to return, Araneta said hopefully, the SEA Games will also be historical for the team.

"We'll tell them na wala pa tayong gold ever since. Hopefully this will be history also in the SEA Games. Dapat sabihin natin 'yun," he said.

In women's football, the Philippines only finished on the podium in the 1985 edition of the regional meet where it bagged the bronze medal.

Araneta also hopes that head coach Alen Stajcic and his coaching staff will return for the national team after the Asian Cup.

The Southeast Asian Games will be held from May 12-23 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

—JMB, GMA News