Filipina booters set to take on Costa Rica & New Zealand in friendly games

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Fresh off a historic AFF Championship title, the Philippine Women’s National Football team is already plotting its preparations for the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ilonggo sportsman and Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta confirmed the recent development during another Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

Araneta announced that the Filipina booters are set to tangle with Costa Rica and New Zealand in another pair of international friendly games this year.

“We are trying to schedule more games for them against opponents who are higher than us in the rankings,” said Araneta.

Both nations are ranked higher than the women’s national team with Costa Rica at the no. 37 spot while New Zealand is in the 22nd world spot.

The Philippine team is currently ranked no. 53 and the players are still taking their well-deserved rest and vacation after handing Thailand a 3-0 beating during the grand finals match of the 2022 AFF Championship tournament.

With the whole nation behind them, the mighty Filipinas completed its redemption tour against Thailand and notched a convincing 3-0 outing during the championship match held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Thailand became the only team in the tournament to take down the PHL women’s national team and received an early wake-up call after losing during the elimination phase, 1-0.

However, head coach Alen Stajcic and the rest of the Filipinas were locked in against Thailand and just overwhelmed them with their improved attack that helped them rack up three goals.

“There have been invitations from Costa Rica to play in Costa Rica. They also have qualified in the World Cup in the Concacaf. There is an invitation and we are also trying to arrange, I think there is an arrangement to play against New Zealand. But we don’t know yet where. But it’s going to be before the draw in October. Those are our friendlies that are in the pipeline,” added Araneta.