Despite dropping their last game in the tournament, the Philippine National Futsal Team still managed to catch the last bus to the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 in China.
The Filipinas 5 suffered a close 2-1 loss to group winner Australia, for their only defeat in the Asian Cup Qualifiers. The team actually finished tied for second place, but eventually fell to third against host Uzbekistan due to goal difference. Just the same, the Philippines’ record of 7 points (two wins, one loss and one draw) gave them the best thirdplace team output in Group C and the ticket to the finals, slated to unfold on May 7 to 18 in China.
“A lot is riding on this team performing, at least for John (Gutierrez, Philippine Football Federation president) and futsal,” said by a noted follower of the game in a recent chat with The Designated Kit Man.
Which is true knowing that before the Asian Cup qualifiers started, a lot of controversy and even more unanswered questions surrounded the national women’s futsal team. A fact that Gutierrez himself vowed to answer once the campaign in Tashkent is finished.
Now that the team has accomplished its task at hand despite so much noise, I think it is time to set the record straight on some questions. I believe these questions, while some are moot and academic, still deserve to be settled on record.
This early, I would like to remind the federation that a conflict of schedule in November needs to be addressed too soon. While the presence of Filipinas or the Philippine Women’s National Football Team (PWNFT) mainstays Katrina Guillou, Bella Flanigan and Sara Castañeda are very invaluable in the futsal team, as they practically carried the nation’s hopes in Uzbekistan, they might not be available once the inaugural 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup begins later this year. The PWNFT is set to compete in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games or the SEAG from December 9 to December 20 in key locations in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla all in Thailand. The 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, on the other hand, will start from November 21 to December 7, also this year. The Philippines will host the biggest futsal event of the year.
I don’t think coach Mark Torcaso, who also served as one of Rafa Merino’s able lieutenants in the Tashkent campaign, will be open to lending his players to the futsal team, while also donning the colors for the national women’s football team. Aside from the obvious reason that even if the remotest possibility will allow this to happen, the physical and mental toll on the players will be unimaginable.
“The window for the Filipinas is from November 24 to December 2. They are preparing for the Asian Cup and the SEA Games. So no chance anyone (Filipinas) will play futsal,” another source told The Designated Kit Man.
Like what they always say, the battle has been won, but the war is not yet over. Between now and November, the PFF have time to figure this out and hopefully come up with the best possible solution that will give us a fighting chance in the Futsal World Cup and at the same team, continue the gains and stature of our Filipinas in both the SEA Games and Asian Cup.
For now, job well done Filipinas 5!
If you have nothing on your schedule today, the 7×7 Football Federation, led by local football icon Anton Del Rosario, is set to hold the 7s Skechers Celebrity Game featuring personalities and even Azkal legends supporting the 7-a-side version of the “beautiful game”. Two teams featuring eight celebrities, three Super League players and four members of the press will compete for the bragging rights.
The event is among the highlights of the 7s Super League Media Day, organized by Del Rosario and his team that will allow access to players, coaches and the latest updates on the local 7s scene. Moreover, it will also jumpstart the opening of the new season of the 7s Football Super League. From what Del Rosario told me during the last episode of Larong Pilipino, aired over DZME RadyoTV, at least 16 teams, four new expansion teams including a squad from Guam, will answer the whistle as the league formally opens on February 16. A separate presser for the new 7s Super League season is set on February 4.
The 7s festivities will start at 4 p.m. at the McKinley Stadium in Fort Bonifacio, where media and fans have access to players and celebrities while kickoff for the exhibition game will start around 6pm. Entrance is free for all fans and supporters of 7-a-side football at the McKinley Stadium in Fort Bonifacio.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat