IN their continuing build-up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year, the Filipinas, the national women’s football team, began their training in San Jose, Costa Rica over the weekend that will be highlighted by two friendly matches against the Costa Rican women’s side.
Led by skipper Tahnai Annis and deputy captain Hali Long, 25 players were called up for the camp lasting for nearly two weeks in the Central American country, the Philippine Football Federation reported on its website.
Currently ranked 53rd in the FIFA women’s world ratings, the charges of coach Alen Stacjic will face the Las Ticas, as the Costa Rican squad is known and ranked No. 37, first this Friday at the 17,895-seat Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium, with the next one on Oct. 11 at an unspecified venue.
This will mark the first time the Nationals will play a Central American country.
The Filipinas recently dropped a 1-2 decision to New Zealand (No. 22) during their recent training camp in California.
Stajcic has stressed the need to expose the Filipinas, the reigning AFF Women’s champions, to various playing styles in preparing for the rivals they will face in the Women’s World Cup to be held from July 20 to Aug. 20, 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.
The draw for the 32-nation tournament will be held on Oct. 22 at the Aotea Center in Auckland, New Zealand.
The PH women’s squad is hoping for good results in the two matches to boost the team’s ranking and hopefully avoid playing the world’s powerhouses early in the group stages.
Top striker Sarina Bolden was also tapped for the Costa Rica camp along with forward Katrina Guillou, hardworking midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki, who signed up with Australian Club Western United last June, and defender Sofia Harrison, who now plays for German club Werder Bremen.
Also named to the squad were veteran goalie Inna Palacios, Camille Rodriguez, Alisha Del Campo, Anicka Castañeda , Olivia McDaniel, Jessica Miclat, Reina Bonta, Isabella Flanigan, Kaiya Jota, Kiara Fontanilla, Malea Cesar, Eva Madarang, Dominque Randle, Tara Shelton, Chantelle Maniti, Sara Eggesvik and Carleigh Frilles.
A new addition is Denmark-based defender Angela Beard, whose mother hails from Cebu.
