FOOTBALL-MALDITAS: MANILA – The Philippine Malditas start journey to 2019 Women’s World Cup

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Malditas set out to write a Cinderella story in the coming AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan, intending to make the most of the opportunity to shine and achieve their dream stint in the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

“It’s the most important tournament of all our careers,” said Fil-Canadian Jesse Shugg ahead of the April 6-20 competition featuring eight countries and staking five berths to the France WWC.

On their first WAC stint under the present qualification process, the Malditas look to achieve more milestones by clinching a spot in the Women’s World Cup by reaching the semis or finishing fifth overall in the Asian meet.

“It’s our chance to make history not only for this team but for women’s soccer as a whole in  the Philippines,” said Shugg.

The Pinay booters are bunched with host Jordan, Thailand and China in Group A, bidding to finish in the Top 2 to book an outright entry to the France World Cup or No. 3 to get a shot at the fifth place match and the last ticket to the planet’s premier football event.

“I hope they can do the ‘Miracle in Jordan’ and I believe they can do it,” Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta said during the recent send-off for the team.

Handled by Frenchman Rabah Benlarbi and assisted by Steven Joseph Hoffman and Joyce Landagan, the Malditas geared up for the Continental showpiece by holding a three-month training camp in the US and a weeklong session in Osaka, Japan.

Benlarbi said the Filipinas will enter the tournament as underdogs but hopes the talent-laden and motivated squad will spring surprises “and make a new story for Philippine football.”

The Malditas will kick off their campaign on April 6 against host Jordan then play China three days later before wrapping up group play against Southeast Asian power  Thailand on April 12. / Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star) – April 1, 2018 – 12:00am / / All photographs, news, editorials, opinions, information, data, others have been taken from the Internet ..aseanews.net | [email protected] / For comments, Email to : SPORTS STATION | [email protected] | Contributor