Most of the 21 Philippines women’s football team are high school or college students, and 16 of them currently study in US. They receives little financial support from their government and federation. There is not even a professional football league in Philippines, other than at college level. So what motivates the players?
"It's love for the game. We have been very passionate. Fortunately, we have peoples who are supporting us. We don’t get paid because we are amateurish and we are studying in schools. I think it's really our commitment to the game and to the country," said captain Mariel Benitz, who has been with team for 10 years. Pace and fitness will the crucial factors that might make all the difference for the Philippines women’s football team in the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup beginning on May 21, according to team management. The Malditas conducted their first practice session after arriving in Dhaka for two long hours under the hot sun at the Sheikh Jamal DC ground yesterday. Both coach Ernie Nierras and Benitez claimed that pace is their best weapon and felt they are fully prepared after two training camps in USA. The last one was in March and before that, the team had a two week camp last November. "We had three training camps, two in US. In November in US, we played LA Vikings Cup (invitational tournament). We played against semi professional teams where some of players played for national team of Mexico and Columbia. Our team won the championship there," said Malditas head Coach Ernie Nierras, who has been with the team since 2005. "I don't think any of the participating team wants to lose. They want to win and I want to win too. And it's going to be a different starting eleven for every single team. We have prepared that way," he added. This will be the first time Philippines women's team face any South Asian country, as well as Iran. By contrast, they play Thailand often - the last time being in 2011, when they were beaten by 1-5. Malditas captain Mariel Benitez said that they are a different side now, and expressed her excitement at taking on new opponents.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
