THE Philippines is looking forward to its first stint in the first ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Futsal Championships this November at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
A national squad has been formed for the futsal meet, with the support of the Philippine Football Federation and the Henry Moran Foundation.
A training pool of players to form the nucleus of the team is currently training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna for the tournament, which is expected to prepare the Philippines for its coming stint the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup the country will host in 2025.
PFF officials have tapped Dutch futsal coaching legend Vic Hermans, whose services have been in demand from Southeast Asian countries wooing him.
Hermans, who has guided three countries to the FIFA Futsal World Cup, will present the national roster on November 5.
The Philippine team hopes to better its runner-up finish in the PFF Tri-Nations Cup last October, 2023.
During the ASEAN meet, the no. 59 Philippines will take on squads that are ranked higher.
Leading the charge is Thailand, the sixth best side in the world, while Vietnam is no. 11. Indonesia is at no. 24 and Myanmar occupies no. 37.
The Philippines battles Myanmar on opening day (November 16), before taking on top-rated Thailand the following day.
The nationals earned a bye the next day, but return to action on November 19 against Vietnam.
Indonesia then tests the Pinays on November 20.
All preliminary Philippine games are set at 7 p.m.
The fight for the third and fourth-ranked squads is on Nov. 21 at 4 p.m., with the two finalists locking horns for the gold medal at 7 p.m.
