
The national women’s football team, amid the euphoria of securing qualification to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, vows to give everything it got against fancied South Korea in the semifinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Thursday, Feb. 3.
Kickoff is set 4 p.m. Manila time at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India where the Pinay booters hope to use their historic entry to next year’s World Cup as a springboard to create more history.
Odds are stacked against them against a South Korean side that made the semis with a 1-0 win over next year’s World Cup co-host Australia.
But with what has transpired since the start of the continental competition, everything is now a possibility for coach Alen Stajcic’s side as it aims for a spot in the final against either Japan, winner of the last two editions, or China.
“(South) Korea, without question, is the favorites for the game, but that doesn’t mean you’re gonna win,” Stajcic said in the pre-match press conference.
“You got to win the game out on the field, and all that I can promise everyone is that we’re gonna give one hell of a fight,” added the Australian mentor.
South Korea boasts of England-based players in skipper Ji So-Yun, who plays for English side Chelsea and the one who struck the winner against the Australians and Tottenham player Cho So-Hyun,
It will be the first meeting of both teams since the 2018 Asian Cup when the Philippines fell 5-0 in a playoff for the fifth and final slot in the following year’s World Cup.
A penalty shootout was needed before the Filipinas edged out Taiwan, 4-3, after a 1-all tie at the end of regulation and extra time with goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and Sarina Bolden playing the hero’s role.
McDaniel has been one of the standout performers for the Philippines during the competition, along with an organized defense powered by Hali Long and Dom Randle.
Midfielders Katrina Guillou and Tahnai Annis and attackers like McDaniel’s sister Chandler, Bolden and Quinley Quezada are likely to see action and make vital contributions.