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An Australian coach who guided his country to two FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances and a quarterfinals berth in the Olympics will call the shots for the national women’s football team.
The Philippine Football Federation announced Tuesday, Oct. 26 the hiring of Alen Stajcic for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup which starts Jan. 20, 2022 in India.
Stajcic will be tasked to make the Filipina booters a competitive squad in the Asian Cup which also serves as a qualifier for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“We are thrilled that Alen Stajcic has accepted the position to be the head coach of the Philippine Women’s National Team head coach,” said PFF president Nonong Araneta.
“His appointment shows the commitment and determination of the PFF to give our women’s national team the best possible chance to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
Stajcic replaces Marlon Maro, who will return to his old role as PFF’s head of coaching education.
Maro handled the team during the recent Asian Cup Qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where it won all two matches against Nepal and Hong Kong.
Australia competed in the 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cup while reaching the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio Olympics undr Stajcic.
“Coach Alen Stajcic has the capabilities to elevate the Philippine Women’s team on the Asian stage and beyond,” said PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes. “We look forward to what he can bring to the team which has qualified to the final competition of the Asian Cup.”