Expectations high for World Cup-bound Filipinas in SEA Games women's football

After five weeks of intense training and a series of friendly matches in Australia, the Philippine national women’s football team will finally get to show their wares against our regional neighbors in the Southeast Asian Games, which will be held in Vietnam.

Having qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time last January, the eyes of the world will be on the Filipinas to prove that they deserve to be ranked at their all-time high of 54th in the world.

Bracketed in Group A, the Filipinas play Cambodia on May 9, before taking on fellow World Cup debutantes and hosts Vietnam two days later.

Both matches will be held in the city of Cam Pha, Vietnam, which is a stone’s throw away from the UNESCO World Heritage site Halong Bay, but at least a three-hour drive from Hanoi.

Unranked Cambodia, in theory, should ease the Filipinas in to the tournament proper, and with Indonesia withdrawing at the last minute, Group A teams will only play two games each, making each game a proverbial must win match.

A win against Cambodia should set the Filipinas up for a semifinals appearance, but as always, we cannot overlook our less heralded neighbors.

Two days later against the hosts, on May 11, the real test begins.

Playing a football match against Vietnam on their home soil will always be special, regardless of age and gender classification, and this match could prove to be a classic.

Revenge would be on the agenda for the Filipinas, who hope to avenge their semis defeat to Vietnam in Binan, Laguna in the 2019 edition of the SEA Games.

Coach Alen Stajcic’s superior game management could come into play once again, as the Filipinas play two games in three days. But this schedule might be a blessing in disguise for the Filipinas.

Showing depth in most positions, finishing the group stages early on could provide the team with enough rest ahead of a possible semi-final clash with rivals Thailand or Myanmar, both in Group B.

There is a Chandler McDaniel sized hole in the Filipinas forward slot, with the Filipinas forward unfortunately out with a long-term injury.

But in the friendlies leading up to the tournament, Quinley Quezada and Carleigh Frilles have shown that they are more than able to step up in her absence.

The 20-year-old Frilles, in particular, has benefitted from the training camp and has played well in friendlies against Tonga and Fiji.

Frilles is a proud youth product of the women’s side, having represented the Philippines U14 team in 2016.

“It’s most important for me to show people that they can do what I do, they can play for the youth and they can make their way to the senior team, and it really comes full circle and it just really comes with work,” she said after the Filipinas qualified for the World Cup.

The Asian Cup was her senior team debut, and she is looking forward to her second tournament with the senior team in Vietnam.

“It means the world to me each time I put on the jersey, I’m very excited for my second campaign with the team,” she said.

“We have grown so much and are so proud and eager to represent the Philippines at SEA games.”

Playing a more advanced role, Frilles scored eight goals over 3 games against Tonga and Fiji, and with the absence of Katrina Guillou in Vietnam, she will be relied to carry her form over to the SEA Games.

“I wasn’t always a center forward. For the past 5 or 6 years I’ve been predominately an attacking mid and would occasionally play winger.”

“I’ve really enjoyed playing center forward and learning how to succeed in the position. Coach Alen has given me all necessary tools defensively and offensively to be as successful as possible.”

Regional bragging rights will be at stake, as well as a test for the Filipinas as to where our level is vis-à-vis our Southeast Asian neighbors.

The resurgence of women’s football in the Philippines in recent times have fans raising their expectations, and they can be forgiven for expecting a podium finish this time around.

The Filipinas obviously would want to build on the momentum of World Cup qualification by securing at least a medal in these SEA Games.

That is of course, easier said than done, but with a solid training camp ahead of the tournament, there is a quiet optimism that the Filipinas can bury the ghosts of Southeast Asian tournaments past, and bring home the medals this time around.

—JMB, GMA News