History beckons for the Philippines women's national team

On 21 July, the Philippines women’s national team will break new ground.

For the first time ever, the Filipinas will represent their homeland on the most prestigious stage in football: the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Qualification for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand came courtesy of a dramatic shootout win over Chinese Taipei in the Women's Asia Cup quarter-finals in January 2022.

They were beaten 2-0 in the semi-finals by Republic of Korea, but had already achieved their objective of booking their place in a first global competition.

Before the Filipinas focus on their trip to New Zealand, they will be going for gold at the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

After taking bronze two years ago, matching their third place in 1985, they have the top step of the podium in mind following recent victories over defending champions Vietnam and last year's runners-up Thailand.

With a World Cup on the horizon, this crop of players will want to make a statement now more than ever.

From the players to a new coach, what has been the secret to the Filipinas' upturn in fortunes?

The Filipinas: A shift in mentality

Having spent years struggling to hold their own against nearby rivals, the Philippines have a strong claim to be the best team in the region.

As well as being clear to onlookers, the change in mindset has been felt by the players themselves.

“Our mentality as a team is winning the moment,” goalkeeper Inna Palacios told local media as reported by Philstar.

“We always want to win the next moment because we always want to be better. We want to see where we can go as a team."

It may be their maiden World Cup appearance in 2023, but the Filipinas - most of whom were born in the United States - are determined to make an impact on the world stage.

Drawn in Group A with Norway, Switzerland, and joint-hosts New Zealand, Palacios - one of the few home-born players in the squad - outlined exactly what she and her team-mates are looking to do this summer.

“We really want to get out of the group stage and we’re going to keep riding that wave until the very end. There’s a lot of hope and hard work that we’ll need, but we’re really focusing on that."

The Philippines won the AFF Women's Championship on home soil in Manila last July to secure their first ever trophy.

In the semi-finals, they stunned Vietnam 4-0 for their first win in 17 attempts against the reigning champions. Then followed a 3-0 victory over Thailand who they had lost to in the group stages and beaten just once in 16 previous meetings.

A month earlier, they scored a first triumph over European opposition with a 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina before defeating them again 2-1 days later.

In the Pinatar Cup in Spain at the start of this year, the Filipinas went down by the odd goal to both Wales and Scotland before a 5-0 defeat to Iceland.

That last result was a rare setback for the side which returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion in April's Olympic qualifier first-round matches.

They scored 16 goals without reply against Pakistan, Tajikistan and Hong Kong, China to ease through to the second round.

But next up are the SEA Games with the team hoping to make it two trophies in the space of a year.

Alen Stajcic’s Aussie Influence

When Australian Alen Stajcic took the reins in October 2021, the Filipinas were ranked 68 in the world and had never travelled to Europe.

Stajcic, who managed Australia's Matildas from 2014-19, had a crunch first match in charge against Thailand in the group stages of the Women's Asian Cup.

The Thais had won all 14 previous meetings, but Chandler McDaniel's goal nine minutes from time gave Stajcic a dream start to his tenure.

After defeat to Australia, Philippines thrashed Indonesia 6-0 to set up the quarter-final with Chinese Taipei which yielded their historic World Cup berth.

The Filipinas are now ranked 49, their highest position to date.

“The players were talking recently and they all realise that this is the start of a journey,” Stajcic told KEEPUP. “They are just starting to realise that actually, we can do this and we can get better.”

That belief has been apparent in recent performances, but the coach is not getting carried away just yet.

“For the World Cup, I don’t know how good we’ll be but I know that we’re heading in the right direction. My analogy is that we’ve just climbed and conquered a little hill, and that’s Southeast Asia.

“The challenges ahead are going to be a much bigger mountain: trying to conquer the rest of Asia and then the world."

Australian-based Sarina Bolden is the team's main goal threat with Red Star Belgrade forward Quinley Quezada and Katrina Guillou, who plies her trade in Sweden, also key to the team's hopes.

Unity from youth to senior teams

Perhaps another key factor in what the Filipinas are currently building is the unity between their youth and senior teams.

In a rare move, Stajcic and his coaching staff started overseeing both the Under-17 and Under-20 youth teams as well as the first team in January.

“It’s an opportunity to align the senior national team along with young players coming through," said assistant coach Nahuel Arrate as reported by the Manila Bulletin.

“Hopefully we can learn on some of the success we’ve seen on the national team; but ultimately, the national team is about winning and about development that is playing a big foundation in the success of this team.”

A number of youngsters are already stepping up to the senior squad with 19-year-old Malea Cesar, 21-year-old Carleigh Frilles, 16-year-old Isabella Pasion and 18-year-old Isabella Flanigan receiving call-ups ahead of the SEA Games.

Not only does Stajcic and his team overseeing the youth groups allow him to integrate talent with ease, but it also creates a sense of unity.

U17s and U20s players get a glimpse into what their own future could look like and makes the bond for this national team a good deal stronger.

The Philippines will kick off their bid for SEA Games’ glory when they face Myanmar on Wednesday 3 May.