PH women’s football team achieves highest FIFA ranking

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine women’s football team made history after clinching their highest FIFA ranking so far at world no. 64.

Previously ranked at no. 65 a year ago, the PH Malditas raked a total of 1,386 points to help them propel to its newest ranking in the world.

Aside from their latest international achievement, the PH Malditas are also ranked no. 13 in the Asian level and ranked no. 5 in Southeast Asia.

Malditas’ epic two-game sweep against Nepal and Hong Kong during the 2021 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers helped them amass such point boost while also earning AFC Asian Cup qualification honors.

The women’s squad is hoping to extend their winning streak in the Asian Cup to be held in India from January 20 to February 6 and they will be mentored by the widely-renowned Alen Stajcic.

World no. 11 Australia, world no. 38 Thailand, and world no. 94 Indonesia will join Philippines in Group B of the prestigious tournament.

As of now, the PH Malditas are still under training and will need to make their way into the top five of the Asian Cup to grab a seat in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.