Philippine women’s team ready for FIFA World Cup

The Philippine women’s football team sees itself in the best form possible by the time the Filipinas take their historic step on the pitch in the Fifa (International Association Football Federation) Women’s World Cup.

Photos from FIFA World Cup

“There are some things that we need to learn, some things we need to improve on,” said Quinley Quezada. “But as of now, we really want us going into the World Cup at our peak, at our strongest, so I’m really excited about that.”

Closed-door

At least a glimpse of it could come out Monday with a scheduled closed-door friendly against a superior squad in Sweden, which is considered one of the teams that could challenge for the World Cup title the United States has held for the last two editions of the quadrennial meet.

Bayern Munich's Georgia Stanway and Rosengard's Mimmi Larsson battle for the ball during the Women's Champions League soccer match between Bayern Munich and FC Rosengard in Munich, Germany, Wednesday Oct. 19, 2022. (Kolbert-Press/Gamel/dpa via AP) Photo by Kolbert-Press/Gamel

The match, to be held in Wellington where Sweden has set up its base camp, will have three 30-minute periods instead of the standard two 45-minute halves.

Sweden placed third in the 2019 edition and is favored to come out on top of Group G which also has Italy, Argentina, and South Africa.

Photos from FIFA World Cup

It will feature three quality strikers — Kosovare Asilani, Fridolina Rolfo, and Stina Blackstenius, who have accounted for a combined 97 goals while donning the Swedish shirt.

The Philippine women’s football team sees itself in the best form possible by the time the Filipinas take their historic step on the pitch in the Fifa (International Association Football Federation) Women’s World Cup.

“There are some things that we need to learn, some things we need to improve on,” said Quinley Quezada. “But as of now, we really want us going into the World Cup at our peak, at our strongest, so I’m really excited about that.”

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Trying new strategies

At least a glimpse of it could come out Monday with a scheduled closed-door friendly against a superior squad in Sweden, which is considered one of the teams that could challenge for the World Cup title the United States has held for the last two editions of the quadrennial meet.

The match, to be held in Wellington where Sweden has set up its base camp, will have three 30-minute periods instead of the standard two 45-minute halves.

Sweden placed third in the 2019 edition and is favored to come out on top of Group G which also has Italy, Argentina, and South Africa.

It will feature three quality strikers — Kosovare Asilani, Fridolina Rolfo, and Stina Blackstenius, who have accounted for a combined 97 goals while donning the Swedish shirt.

Asilani is a 33-year-old veteran attached to Italian side AC Milan, Rolfo plays club football for Spanish club FC Barcelona while Blackstenius is with England’s top Women’s Super League team Arsenal.

Ronnie J. Willis is a staff reporter for The Navigator.