Tough choices were made in finalizing the composition of the 23-member Philippine national women’s football team, which will make its historic FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in New Zealand.
Coach Alen Stajcic said this after he and the coaching staff completed the team roster, which is led by co-captains Tahnai Annis captain Hali Long.
Other members of the team are goalkeepers Kiara Fontanilla,Kaiya Jota, Olivia McDaniel; defenders Alicia Barker, Angela Beard, Reina Bonta, Malea Cesar, Jessika Cowart, Sofia Harrison, Dominique Randle; midfielders Ryley Bugay, Anicka Castañeda, Sara Eggesvik, Quinley Quezada, Jaclyn Sawicki; forwards Sarina Bolden, Isabella Flanigan, Carleigh Frilles, Katrina Guillou, Chandler McDaniel, Meryll Serrano and reserves Inna Palacios, Maya Alcantara and Isabella Pasion.
The final list was drafted following the conclusion of their four-week camp in Sydney.
“Over the last 18 months, we’ve given a lot of players their opportunity and grown the depth of this squad to a substantial level. In a positive way, we’ve got such a pool of players that made the final 23 (selection) even more difficult than I thought it would be,” said Stajcic.
The Filipinas are slated to depart for New Zealand on Monday morning and resume their final preparations for their first encounter against Switzerland on July 21 in Dunedin.
After that, the Filipinas take on host New Zealand on July 25 in Wellington, before finishing their Group A campaign against Norway on July 30 in Auckland.
“It was such an extremely tough choice, but these players were ultimately the ones who put their hands up and impressed the most in recent times,” added Stajcic.
The Filipinas’ pre-World Cup camp took place at the Western Sydney Wanderers Complex.
“We congratulate the 23 players selected for the Philippines in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and express our gratitude to the players, who have committed and sacrificed to make themselves available throughout the selection process,” said Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, Philippine Football Federation president.