The Philippine women’s football team faces Costa Rica in one of two friendly matches featuring the two countries at the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Ranked No. 53, the Filipinas and the No. 37 Costa Ricans are using the goodwill games as part of their buildup for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Head coach Alen Stajcic believes the opportunity to share the field with the Central Americans will benefit the Philippines owing to their opponents’ style of play and World Cup experience.
“Costa Rica has a traditional Latin playing style with lots of flair and players with excellent technique. It will be a great opportunity for us to play a team with World Cup experience and one that is filled with players with high-level passing and dribbling qualities,” Stajcic said.
“We are looking forward to the challenge of playing them on their home turf. The motivations of the team are at an all-time high and confidence too is in a good place.”
The Filipinas are raring to get a win after a 2-1 loss to World Cup co-host New Zealand last 7 September.
Included in the pool for the game against Costa Rica are goalkeepers Olivia McDaniel and Inna Palacios, Hali Long, Eva Madarang, Tahnai Annis, Camille Rodriguez, Sarina Bolden and Quinley Quezada.
Also on board are Malea Cesar, Sofia Harrison, Jessika Cowart, Chantelle Maniti, Dominique Randle, Tara Shelton, Anicka Castaneda, Sara Eggesvik, Jessica Miclat, Carleigh Frilles and Jaclyn Sawicki.
Kiara Fontanilla, Kaiya Jota, Reina Bonta, Shai del Campo, Bella Flanigan and Katrina Guillou complete the Filipinas in Costa Rica.
It won’t be an easy match for the Philippines as Las Ticas qualified for the World Cup after a fourth-place finish at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in Mexico last July.
After gaining confidence from their previous friendlies against New Zealand and Ireland, Stajcic wants the girls to find a way to win matches.
