Filipinas ready to move on from Alen Stajcic exit, set sight on Asian Games

Some members of the Philippine women's football team lamented the departure of head coach Alen Stajcic who parted ways with the team after his contract expired at the end of their campaign in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

After his exit from the Filipinas, the 49-year-old Stajcic will now call the shots for Perth Glory in A-League in Australia. While the team wishes him the best, the Filipinas said they are ready to move on as they look to continue writing their story in the Asian Games.

"It’s kind of a sad moment because he (Stajcic) has been with us and he's brought us so much success and obviously, we would want him as our coach," Quinley Quezada said during a media availability on Thursday at the adidas Brand Center.

"But we wish him the best and we wish him success wherever he goes."

Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, meanwhile added, "Alen has been such a tremendous part of everything that we’ve done in the last 18 months so we’re really fortunate to have had him but we wish him the best of luck in everything."

Despite not earning a Round of 16 ticket in the World Cup, the Filipinas indeed put on a show as they defeated co-host New Zealand courtesy of a header from Sarina Bolden. Unfortunately, they weren't able to move forward following a loss to powerhouse Norway, 0-6.

However, the Filipinas hope to build on that momentum when they take on South Korea, Hong Kong, and Myanmar in the group stages of the Asiad tourney this September in China.

"The games are all fresh in our minds right now coming off the World Cup so I think everyone’s taking time to just refresh, relax, and regroup until the next one," McDaniel said.

"The federation will contact us on who’s gonna be coming in for the next tournament. We’ll just be waiting for the call. We’re ready to go and play for our country again."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News