There's a reason why the Filipinas make milestone after milestone.
The Philippine women's national football team will soon be making its debut at the FIFA Women's World Cup. The Filipinas won the AFF Women's Championship at home. They reached the Southeast Asian Games podium for the first time in 37 years. They rose to a program-high FIFA women's rank of 46.
The Filipinas have been making milestone after milestone in the past few years. They even snagged a shiny partnership with the global apparel brand adidas.
What makes the Filipinas remain so successful?
Skipper Tahnai Annis says it boils down to one thing.
"There are not a lot of egos that get in the way, because we all know that we’re in this together and that we only got to where we’ve got because we’ve stayed together," Annis shared in a FIFA interview.
"And that if at any point people start to try go their own way or we try and be individual, then that’s one thing that might break down for us, because that’s not what’s been successful for us."
The chemistry remained strong among the Filipinas, having played together in multiple tournaments and friendly matches in the past few years. It's that bond that keeps them fighting.
"We’ve always done the best when we’re a group and we stay united," Annis noted.
She knows what she's talking about. The 34-year-old has been playing for the Philippines 38 times, with 13 goals to her name.
"And even if we have setbacks and we have hardships throughout that, as long as we stay true to our core, I know there’s nothing that we can’t accomplish. I think we have a good foundation."
The Filipinas will compete in Group A of the FIFA Women's World Cup starting July 21 against Switzerland, July 25 against New Zealand, and July 30 against Norway.