Experience gained in Pinatar Cup defeats will serve Filipinas in FIFA Women's World Cup

The Philippines Women’s National Football Team wrapped up their maiden Pinatar Cup campaign with a tough 0-5 defeat to Iceland, the team’s biggest margin of defeat in twelve months.

This loss follows narrow defeats for the Filipinas to Wales and Scotland in the tournament held in Murcia, Spain.

While results of the games were not in our favor, it can be said that the team’s main objectives coming into the tournament – gaining experience and learning how to play against quality opposition, were by and large met.

With the FIFA World Cup proper starting five months, it was imperative that the Filipinas use these FIFA windows to gather all available players to training camps, play together, and develop sharpness and familiarity ahead of the big dance in New Zealand.

Here are five things we learned from the Filipinas’ Pinatar Cup campaign.

1 Filipinas get a glimpse of what to expect in World Cup

If the Filipinas ever wondered what it would be like to play in a World Cup group stage, then they were certainly given a taste of things to come in the recently-concluded Pinatar Cup.

From the cold weather to using the official match ball, from the quality of the opposition to Coach Alen Stajcic’s squad rotation, this tournament provided a good setting as to what the team can expect in July.

In the world game, players are taller, fitter, stronger, faster. Errors will be exposed, and punished severely, and as the game against Wales showed, a momentary lapse in concentration and judgment can be the difference between a clean sheet or defeat.

Against Southeast Asian competition, the Filipinas will have used their physicality to the hilt, but it will be not be the same case against equally if not more physical opponents and this tournament would have prepared the team for that eventuality.

2 That said, Filipinas not overawed by the occasion

Playing much higher ranked opponents in Iceland (16th), Scotland (25th) and Wales (32nd), the Filipinas knew it was going to be tough to get results against these countries.

But the 53rd ranked Philippines came into the tournament knowing that matches against better and quality opposition would prepare them and can only serve them in good stead.

The Philippines went to toe-to-toe against Wales and Scotland, and arguably gave both higher ranked opponents a run for their money despite the gap in world rankings.

In the first half against Scotland, the Filipinas employed a high pressing game at times to try to win the ball, which resulted in Scotland having difficulty creating their own chances.

Playing against players who play club football in England, Spain and Germany can be a daunting prospect, but the Filipinas largely more than held their own and with more incisive passing, could have created some chances of their own.

3 Players made their case for World Cup squad

Coach Stajcic has been clear that his selection for his World Cup squad will have ‘no room for sentiment’, making this Pinatar Cup campaign an important gauge as to who will make the final list of 23 players to Dunedin, New Zealand.

The players rose to Stajcic’s challenge.

Hali Long and Quinley Quezada started in all three games for the Filipinas and have put in a solid shift for the country.

By her standards, goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel will be disappointed with herself and will look to bounce back from a forgettable performance against Iceland, while mainstays Sofia Harrison and Jessika Cowart will have made their cases for inclusion.

Merryll Serrano, who scored the lone goal for the Philippines this tournament, has been a revelation in midfield.

Alicia Barker has also given Stajcic options at the right side of defence, with her physical presence an important tool against bigger opposition.

Captain Tahnai Annis also started in all three games, and while she put in a solid shift at left wing, a case may be made as to whether playing centrally is where the team can best maximize her strengths in ball distribution.

Sara Eggesvik proved again how essential she is to the Filipinas’ campaign, providing equal parts aggression and finesse in the center of the park. Her understanding with the forwards – delivering quality service to Sarina Bolden, for instance – will be important for the Filipinas’ attack.

Jackie Sawicki’s return to full fitness could not come at a better time, as she aims to replicate her title-winning form from the AFF Championships.

Tireless Bella Flanigan and Carleigh Frilles will get A for effort, and their aggressive runs can cause problems for opposing defenders, but they will need quality service from the midfield.

4 Adidas deal something to be proud of

Current Men’s World Cup Champions Argentina.

Previous champions Germany, Spain, Italy.

And now, the Philippines Women’s National Football Team join these historic teams in wearing the famed three stripes brand of Adidas.

Now, while athletic apparel may not differ too much per se among the leading brands, the sponsorship of one of the world’s leading sports brands ignites a newfound pride for the players and staff, and invokes a sense of ‘We’ve arrived.’

It will take time for the apparel company to develop and design a signature shirt that is uniquely Filipinas, but with Adidas as the outfitter, it is hoped that fans will have easier access to the jerseys of the heroines, and that finally, our ladies on the field can wear shirts in their right sizes.

5 One step back, two steps forward.

Defeats at the Pinatar Cup, especially the heavy five-goal defeat to Iceland are difficult to swallow, but best it happened here in Spain rather than in New Zealand in July.

Filipinas team Manager Jefferson Cheng sums it up well: “It is a valuable experience to benchmark and understand which areas need improvement.”

“Our players will use this learning to get better individually and as a team.”

Despite the losses, participation in the Pinatar Cup for the Filipinas was a net positive overall. Onwards and upwards for the Filipinas, as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News