MANILA, Philippines – Following a weeklong training camp at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the Philippine women’s football team now gears up for its remaining tournaments and activities later this year.
Freddy Gonzalez, the senior national teams director of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), said the Filipinas will play in Turkey this October, where they’ll also play against Jordan, Haiti, and Mali.
“That’s gonna be a really good tournament for the Filipinas. I expect the overseas-based players are gonna be there, so the Sarina Boldens of the world will be there with us,” said Gonzalez, referring to the team’s top guns led by Bolden, who powered the Filipinas during their historic 2023 World Cup run.
Gonzalez also bared PFF’s plans to host friendlies this November.
“The women’s [senior team] will have three matches here, along with the U20… so the women’s U20 will be here as well in November all the way to December,” he said.
Longtime national team member Camille Rodriguez said she’s excited to play multiple matches at the Rizal Memorial Stadium once again.
“I think it’s incredibly important to have games here in the country. Honestly, the AFF Women’s Championship was one of the highlights of my life ‘cause I got to share it with all of you, my community, and that’s what’s important,” said the 29-year-old midfielder.
“Community really is important when you’re trying to grow the sport, especially in growing women’s football, which we have seen an enormous growth the past 10 years, especially the past three years.”
Rodriguez added that home games also help overseas players to connect with local fans.
“[To] grow that community, that village… [it’s] incredibly important for the girls here to show up in the best way they can, and also incredibly important for overseas players here to build their connection towards the community here,” she said.
The training camp at the Rizal Memorial Stadium ran from August 17-23 and featured a mix of World Cup squad members, veteran players, young call-ups, and newcomers.
Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso said it was a “good opportunity” to observe plenty of players and see improvements in their games.
“Obviously, having some of the World Cup players here and train with some of the girls, rightfully lifted the level — fantastic in training,” said Torcaso.
“So there was a lot of players who I was able to see on a different level.”
Veteran goalkeeper Inna Palacios shared that she is “grateful” for the local camp as it gives homegrown players the rare opportunity to showcase their talent in front of the national team coaches.
“It’s very nice to see familiar faces that we play against on the field in our league here, and now they become our teammates for a week, and I think it’s a very nice feeling when you have the camaraderie together, that community, that sense of family, that you’re all working towards the betterment, development of women’s football here in the Philippines,” said Palacios.
The 30-year-old Palacios also noted it’s important for the next generation of Filipinas to gain confidence and dream big.
“If you give them that opportunity, that platform, they’re gonna see it’s possible,” she said. “And when they see it’s possible, you don’t know where your dreams can take you, like what the team did. We went to the World Cup and it’s just as simple as dreaming and aspiring to be more.”
Torcaso said the Filipinas will also aim for at least two crowns next year.
“We’re starting to build a good foundation of a really good pool, the SEA Games is one tournament we want to win,” said Torcaso.
“Obviously, the AFF tournament is one we had before, so we’ll be doing our absolute best to try and defend that title. But then we’re also aiming to try and win the SEA Games, so there’s two trophies that we want to win next year.” – Rappler.com