Filipinas in good spirits, but wary of Norway challenge ahead of crucial match

Philippine women's national football team head coach Alen Stajcic shared that the Filipinas are ready to take on the "immense" challenge when they face Norway in a crucial encounter this Sunday in Auckland.

Stajcic said the players have been laser-focused and in good spirits in their training the past few days following an upset of co-host New Zealand last Tuesday.

And they will be looking to pull off another big one when they take on world no. 12 Norway.

"The practice was good. The team's in good spirit, they're training really well and very focused and ready for the challenge," the Australian coach said.

"We've learned a routine to refocus whether it's a good result or whether it's a bad result and that's really one of the strengths of this team is that we're able to refocus so quickly and there's a real sense of maturity around this team."

Stajcic and the Filipinas remain wary of the embattled Grasshoppers despite a difficult campaign in this edition of the World Cup.

Norway is currently sitting in the last spot in Group A with an unexpected 0-1-1 win-draw-loss card after falling to New Zealand, 0-1, and ending the match against Switzerland in a goalless stalemate, 0-0.

Various issues have also been swirling around the camp of Norway with star player Ada Hegerberg sustaining an injury prior to their match against the Swiss three days ago. In addition, Norwegian winger Caroline Graham Hansen issued am apology to their coach for lashing out during the same game.

Despite these issues, Stajcic said they cannot underestimate Norway, a former Olympic gold medalist and World Cup winner. Norway also holds one World Cup silver and two bronze medals.

"I’m wary of the wounded animal. They have taken a hit to their pride and I expect them to come out fighting," Stajcic added.

"We don't know what's going on in their camp. We saw that Hegerberg went off last game but as everyone knows, you never knock a champion. And she's a champion. We got an immense amount of respect for her as an individual and for her team and I'm sure every team has its issues."

"They're not champions for no reason. We have to be ready for that."

Stajcic said facing Norway would be no easy feat for the Filipinas. Still, he believes anybody, including the Philippines, can stage a massive upset on football's biggest stage.

"It's gonna be a big challenge. It's unbelievable to think that we're in this position," Stajcic said.

"They're a former Olympic gold medalist so the pedigree within the country and the history of their country's women's football is enormous. We know that the challenge is immense and huge but the World Cup's already produced so many upsets."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News