In 2017, they dreamed of reaching the FIFA World Cup. They're going there this 2023.
It's Wayback Wednesday, and the Philippine women's national football team (PWNFT) is feeling sentimental.
Forward Quinley Quezada and defender Sofia Harrison certainly did so after reposting throwback photos posted by page Futbol Brew.
Also featured in the old photos were Jessica Miclat, Sarina Bolden, Cam Rodriguez, Jesse Shugg, Ryley Bugay, and Inna Palacios.
Five years ago, the Filipinas were competing in the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Jordan—the first time that the Philippine women's squad was able to do so since the qualification phase was introduced in the 2006 edition. It was part of Project Jordan, an ambitious plan launched by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) in 2017 with the aim of reaching the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019.
And the PFF went to work, according to FIFA. The PFF got the support of the MVP Sports Foundation, secured the services of US-based coach Richard Boon, and identified players who could wear the Philippine jersey. The players even got ample training in the United States and in Japan.
Come 2018, the Filipinas picked up a win against Jordan but lost to China and Thailand in the group stage of the AFC Women's Asian Cup. They also had another shot with a fifth place match against South Korea, but bowed 5-0.
A knockout stage qualification would have assured the Filipinas the FIFA World Cup slot, but they fell dramatically short. It was the first time they went beyond the group stage, but the achievement was bittersweet.
It took the next edition of the Asian Cup before the Filipinas finally found redemption under coach Alen Stajcic. In January 2022, they advanced to the knockout round and edged out Chinese Taipei on penalties to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the very first time.
Some would say Project Jordan failed. But the Filipinas are here now in 2023. They just got delayed for a bit.