The Philippine national women’s football team remains the toast of the international community a month after seeing action in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
No less than International Football Federation president Gianni Infantino lauded the Filipinos for such an impressive campaign that was highlighted by a historic 1-0 victory over the host country.
Infantino said the victory was a major boost to the national team program, especially since the Philippines is a basketball-crazy country.
“In their first FIFA Women’s World Cup final tournament, the Philippines scored its first goal and won their first match on the global stage,” Infantino, a good friend of Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano Araneta, said in a social media post.
“Their fantastic performance against co-hosts New Zealand was proof that they belonged to the best tournament in the world, and it will surely inspire many young girls and boys in the Philippines to take up football. This is another win from this FIFA Women’s World Cup, an event that took our sport.”
Although the Filipinas failed to hitch a ride going to the knockout phase, their impact in the recent World Cup was one of a kind.
Unfortunately for them, their head coach in Alen Stajcic resigned at the end of the tournament as he decided to return to Australia to join the Perth Glory in the A-League. He was replaced by another Australian mentor in Mark Torcaso.
Now, the Filipinas are setting their sights on the 19th Asian Games in China next month as well as the second round of the Paris Olympics qualifier in October in Australia.
Araneta said he is humbled by Infantino’s statement as he also hopes for the sport to continue to grow in the Philippines.
“It’s just heartwarming that more than one month after our Filipinas historic win in the FWWC, the FIFA president Gianni Infantino considers it as a moment worthy of that special post. Indeed, I share Mr. Infantino’s statement that the Filipinas’ World Cup moment will hopefully serve as an inspiration for the Filipino youth to take up the sport,” Araneta, whose term as PFF boss is set to expire in November, said.
“The Filipinas’ World Cup winning moment still lingers in my mind. That was an extraordinary achievement pulled off by a special group. I certainly hope its impact will be felt for many years to come.”
