This group is one of a kind indeed.
There are 24 days to go before this year's edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup commences. That means the Philippine women’s national football team (PWNFT) is left with just a little more than three weeks to prepare for its historic debut on the game’s grandest stage.
Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic, however, has constantly sounded confident when discussing his wards’ ability to show out under the bright lights.
“We started on this journey and I felt like just qualifying for the World Cup wasn't enough. I'd come to a group that had this sense of humility and gratitude, which I haven't seen yet in an Australian team,” Stajcic said in an interview with Optus Sport.
Funding, adulation, and respect had to be earned. That seemed to be the route that the Filipinas took when they were just starting out, trying to make a name for themselves. While some may have been discouraged due to lack of support, these ladies went the opposite direction until they finally had the country’s full attention.
For the Australian coach, it’s that zero sense of entitlement, which gives his charges an edge over the other national teams, including those who are deemed to be the more talented squads.
“They haven't been spoiled by the trappings of professional sport or elite sport and were really grateful for everything they were given because previously they were given very little,” the tactician explained.
To this day, the Filipinas remain hungry to accomplish great things. More than the skills, they have the right mentality to do exactly that. Coach Alen wishes that it’ll stay that way for his players.
“Having that gratitude and having that humility within the group, having that collective vision, I don't want this team to lose it,” Stajcic stressed.
The PWNFT will see action in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to kick off on July 20.
(GM)