Fifa Women’s World Cup: Philippines team proud to be role models back home – ‘we’re in this for future generations’
- It is their country’s first ever appearance in a global football event, men’s or women’s, and the players realise its impact, including for overseas Filipinos
- ‘It’s very rewarding to see my relatives supporting us,’ says defender Sofia Harrison, who welcomes a chance to ‘learn more about my culture and heritage’
The colours are unmistakable as the Philippine flag flutters in the breeze on the approach to Wanderers Football Park, in Sydney’s western suburbs – the temporary home to the country’s history-making women footballers.
No team from the Philippines – men’s or women’s – had previously reached the finals of a global football event, so when they face Switzerland in Dunedin next Friday, the side coached by Australian Alen Stajcic will be on uncharted terrain.
Also drawn with co-hosts New Zealand and former champions Norway in their group, their task could be seen as daunting. But for the 23-player squad and their head coach, the opportunities far outweigh the challenges.
“Every year the game is growing and evolving,” defender Sofia Harrison told the Post before their departure for their tournament base in Auckland. “In our country in particular, we’ve been able to help grow the grass roots.
“In this past year we’ve been able to see all the younger kids who are looking up to us as role models and looking to support us. It just shows that we’re in this for more than just the sport – we’re in this for future generations.”
Football has long lived in the shadow of basketball and boxing in the Philippines, although efforts that started over 15 years ago to encourage players from the country’s sprawling diaspora have seen the game steadily gain traction.
That hit a high point in 2019 when the men’s team qualified for the first time for the Asian Cup finals, with a squad largely drawn from players born in Europe.
A similar programme was launched in 2012 to bolster the women’s squad, with recruitment particularly targeting the college game in the United States, home to the largest overseas Filipino community.
Eighteen months ago those efforts bore fruit in spectacular fashion. Stajcic, who had previously worked with Australia’s women’s team and A-League side Central Coast Mariners, took over in October 2021 and by the following January the Philippines had qualified for the World Cup via the Women’s Asian Cup.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was the hero, saving two Taiwanese penalties in a shoot-out as they reached the semi-finals, claiming one of the continent’s slots.
McDaniel, 25, is one of 18 US-born members of the World Cup squad, with only one – midfielder Anicka Castaneda – born in the Philippines. Representing the country has given those from the diaspora a chance to reconnect with their roots.
“My mother was born in the Philippines and she moved to America when she was very young,” Harrison said. “To be able to represent my mother’s side is very special.
“It’s very rewarding to see my relatives supporting us, supporting the flag. I do it for them. Being part of this team has definitely allowed me to grow more and to just learn more about my culture and heritage.
“When I was younger, I never thought that any of this would be possible, so to be able to actually be here for this, it’s very overwhelming.”
The game is expected to grow further in the Philippines thanks to qualification, which Stajcic said “definitely had an impact”.
“Sports that are always number three or four or five in the pecking order have to do everything they can to try and nudge the government and the corporate media threshold to become mainstream,” he said.
“Hopefully there’s a whole bunch of young boys and girls in the Philippines that will watch these guys play live on TV and feel connected to the team.”
Their immediate concern is to put on as strong a showing as possible. Outside expectations are limited, given their inexperience at this level, but those in the squad want to leave their mark.
“Our goal is to get out of the group,” Harrison said. “We have very high expectations for ourselves and for our team, and we just want to make our country proud.”
