The Filipinas bagged the country’s first major international title in their field.
The Philippines triumphed over Thailand at the AFF Women’s Championship 2022, thanks to another historic win by the Filipinas.
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Also known as the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, the Filipinas left no room for interpretation with their 3-0 win against Thailand.
The finals took place at the Philippines’ home field at Rizal Memorial Stadium on July 17.
Defender Jessika Cowart led the first goal within seven minutes into the match. Skipper Tahnai Annis and Katrina Guillou then followed up with a successive score, before striker Sarina Bolden finally sealed the deal.
Moreover, the “margin could have been bigger,” according to the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). It cited the “goaltending heroics” of Thai keeper Chotmanee Thongmongkol, who put up a challenge for the Filipinas.
“This win is truly exhilarating. We’ve climbed a little hill tonight. We’ve conquered Southeast Asia. But I know they are big mountains ahead. It is a big hill to climb and there are bigger challenges ahead of us,” coach Alen Stajcic said.
The PFF described the Australian coach as “the architect of the first major international football win for the Philippines.”
Previously, the Filipinas—then known as the “Malditas”—won against Chinese Taipei at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 quarter-finals on January 30 to earn the Philippines’ ticket into the World Cup for the first time.
Prior to this, no team of any gender in the Philippines had ever secured a spot in the most prestigious football competition, let alone win.
Banner Photo by PFF
