MANILA – The Philippine women’s football team’s historic feat in the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship should stir the Filipino youth’s interest in the sport.
According to Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic, unlike basketball or volleyball, football is very much applicable to Filipino youth as there is no height requirement needed to excel in the sport.
“Football is alive in the Philippines and that’s all that matters. It is the world game and I hope it spreads throughout the Philippines,” Stajcic said in a post-match interview.
“For young boys and young girls to aspire to be like these guys and grow the game. Football is the world game for a reason because anyone can play, tall or short,” he added.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re born. Doesn’t matter what color you are. Doesn’t matter what religion you are. Doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are,” the Aussie mentor further said.
Stajcic was the architect of national women’s football team’s rise – from punching a ticket to 2023 FIFA World Cup to capturing a Southeast Asian Games bronze after 37 years.
On Sunday evening, Stajcic also steered the Filipinas to its first-ever international football title by hacking out a 3-0 stunner against Thailand in 2022 AFF finals at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Stajcic also credited his players for showing heart, determination and spirit to win it all despite the compact and tiring schedule where Filipinas almost played every other day for the last two weeks.
“For them to get through these grueling schedule? That’s 10 games in 25 days across two continents, and to finish like that is really a testament to them,” Stajcic said.
“I can yell at them whether it’s their first round game or a final, we adjusted, we rotated the lines. All our set pieces — we spent hours and hours, and on a night like tonight, it paid off,” he added./PN
