Chilean stint toughens up Filipinas

The Philippine women's football team experience in South America only made the Filipinas a better team, said head coach Alen Stajcic, who presided over the squad's campaign against Chile as part of its 2023 World Cup buildup.

The Filipinas faced the Chileans two times, the first in Vina del Mar when the game ended on a 1-1 draw and the second in the capital of Santiago when the hometown booters, rated No. 38 in the world, posted a 1-0 victory.

The trip to Chile and the opportunity to play in the continent was a first for a Philippine team, something Stajcic said was "an excellent opportunity for us to grow and develop and become better footballers leading into the World Cup."

"We showed so much heart and spirit, it was really one of the best efforts from us in the last 12 months," Stajcic said.

The pair of friendly matches also allowed Filipians footballers Sarina Bolden and Tahnai Annis to reach 30 appearances for the national team.

The No. 53 Filipinas have been getting quality-friendly matches with World Cup co-hosts New Zealand and Costa Rica in preparation for the biggest football spectacle in the world.

The Philippines is in Group A along with the Kiwis, Norway and Switzerland.

Based on their second match against the South American powerhouse last Wednesday at Estadio Municipal de la Pintana in Santiago, Stajcic said the quality of defense they showed in the second half against the Chileans should be their standard going forward.

"I think the players now know that's the benchmark and nothing below that will be accepted moving forward. We need to be at our peak in that respect, in that part of the game, every single time we go across the field and we know you know we had some great leaders out there tonight," Stajcic said.

"Again, a first half that lacked some crucial elements, but a second half that showed all the requirements that you need in terms of desire and intensity and motivation moving forward."