The impact of the Filipinas appearing in the FIFA Women's World Cup is huge.
It's been over a year since the Philippine women's national football team qualified for the country's first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup. It's going to happen in less than a month.
For goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, it hasn't sunk in yet.
"I don't think the moment will sink in that we're going to the World Cup until we get there for me. It's still an unbelievable feat and experience that we've taken on and we've accomplished," she told Australia's Optus Sport.
"I just think once we step our first foot onto the pitch when we play against Switzerland, that's when it's going to become real."
McDaniel didn't start out as a goalkeeper. She was a striker, like her sister Chandler.
But Olivia admitted to lacking endurance in running the full 90 minutes in the pitch. So her coach—and father—advised her to try defending at the net.
"I liked scoring goals, but then after a while, I was like all right, I can get used to this and so I've loved it ever since," McDaniel recalled.
And she became a key figure in the Filipinas' qualification to the World Cup, scoring a penalty kick and saving more to ensure the victory against Chinese Taipei.
"The moment after I saved the second one I said '[Sarina Bolden] better not miss this or I will be pissed'," McDaniel added with a laugh. "I could not watch, I think I was facing the other way... I looked at the last second to see the ball hit the back of the net."
The world number 46 Philippines has been drawn in Group A against heavyweights no. 12 Norway, no. 20 Switzerland, and host no. 26 New Zealand.
It's an uphill climb for the Filipinas, but they're living by this motto: Win the moment. Because they're playing for more than just a win, or a goal.
"I hope it has an impact on the Philippines in a way that people start to care about the sport more and to give it a bit more love and maybe more boys and girls in the next generations to come will start to play," McDaniel said.
In a place that is crazy about basketball, volleyball, and boxing, the Filipinas are fighting for the love of the beautiful game.
"I think that's really the goal in itself."
(GM)