Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic said his wards will be needing all the rest they can get heading into the knockout stage of the 2022 AFF Women's Championship.
The Philippines entered the semifinals as the No. 2 team after absorbing a 1-0 defeat at the hands of undefeated Thailand Tuesday night, July 12, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The knockout stage will begin on July 15, Friday, as Group B leaders Vietnam, the reigning champion, and Myanmar dispute for the top spot in their bracket on July 13, Wednesday, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
"I think the key is recovery," said Stajcic after the loss against Thailand. "This is brutal, this is probably the most brutal international tournament there is for women. You're out to play five games in nine days. And this position is something I've never seen before.
"It's gonna be tough, it's gonna be tough against Vietnam and against Myanmar. Being recovered and healthy is certainly the biggest part ," added the Australian mentor.
The Philippines, however, had no other choice but to take part in the grueling schedule as all other teams experienced the same.
In Group B though, there are only five teams competing against each other and clearly, Vietnam and Myanmar easily became the top contenders whereas Group A also had Australia which trailed in third place.
The Aussies needed at least the Philippines to win against Thailand to settle for a tiebreaker but it did not materialize.
Both the Filipinas and the Thais have two-day rest heading into the semifinals but Stajcic believes that there will still be no advantage for either team against the Group B leaders.
"I don't think we got a good advantage. Vietnam and Myanmar played one game less than us and had an easier group. Vietnam and Myanmar are certainly the two favorites heading into the semifinals for sure," said the 48-year-old Stajcic.
"One less game in this condition is a massive, massive advantage to play 450 minutes in nine days is something else," he added.