Preparations of the Philippine national women’s football team have shifted to high gear as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kickoff draws closer.
Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic and his coaching staff have intensified the team’s training program for women’s football’s biggest stage co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand opening on 20 July.
The Pinay booters are currently training in Sydney, Australia before heading to New Zealand for the final stretch of their training camp.
“I would definitely have to agree that it has been more grueling. They have been on top of us a bit more because we’re going to battle, as they like to say,” goalkeeper Kiarra Fontanilla said.
“But we, definitely, always try to perfect our craft and we’re making each other accountable than we usually do. We know that we’re striving for that one goal and that’s to make the country proud, to bring as much pride as we can, not only when we play on the field but off the field.”
Ranked No. 46 in the latest FIFA rankings, the Philippines is in Group A with Norway, Switzerland and New Zealand.
The Filipinas will face No. 3 Sweden in a tune-up match on 17 July before making their World Cup debut against Switzerland on 21 July in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the Filipinas reached another milestone following their inclusion in the computer game FIFA 23.
The game, created by Electronic Arts, has included the Women’s World Cup mode in its latest patch where the Filipinas are playable along with the other 31 participating nations.
It was surreal for Sofia Harrison as she and the rest of the squad are now featured in the game as a testament to their hard work on the pitch.
“It’s definitely a cool feeling to have huge companies wanting to support us in our journey. I don’t think any of us would think of being in a video game, let alone FIFA 23. There are a lot of big names that are on that game so to represent the Philippines and be in the game is something really special for us,” Harrison said.
