
Under head coach Alen Stajic, the Philippines makes heads turn in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
What's your take?
Google Preferred Sources
Get more Daily Tribune stories in your search results
Add Daily Tribune as a preferred source on Google Search.
The Filipinas are ready to move forward following the sudden departure of head coach Alen Stajcic with goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel paying homage to the contributions made by the Australian taskmaster.
"Alen has been such a big part of what we did in the last 18 to 20 months so we are really fortunate to have him,' McDaniel said during a media event in Makati City yesterday.
Stajcic, 49, did not renew his contract with the team after the Filipinas' historic World Cup debut and will now call the shots for Australia's Perth Glory in the A-League.
"We wish him the best of luck in everything he does in the future," said McDaniel, who was hailed as the Player of the Match in the Filipinas' 1-0 win over co-host New Zealand last 25 July in Wellington.
"We just need to regroup with ourselves and move forward as a team," she added.
The squad did a meet-and-greet for fans, signing memorabilia and thanking them for supporting the team in the World Cup despite an early exit.
Up next for the Filipinas is a stint in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, from 23 September to 8 October and in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification period from 26 October to 1 November in Australia.
Filipinas forward Katrina Guillou feels Stajcic's teachings will be crucial in their future tournaments.
"Nothing lasts forever in this world, especially in football. I think we have taken major lessons from him and how well we present on and off the field," Guillou said.

The presence of two national team members and seasoned players has been key in One Taguig's rousing introduction to the…

Philippine women's national football team Mark Torcaso praised the hard work and effort put in by his wards in a couple…

The Philippine national women's football team came up short against South Korea, 1-2, in a friendly match at the Icheon…

‘What we did was improve from our mistakes because a lot of negative things will happen. We need to improve ourselves…

Ingreso and Schrock have been named as co-captains of One Taguig led by general manager Ace Bright and head coach…

Cebu FC and Loyola FC headline the start of the 2024 Philippines Football League season when they clash today at the…