US diaspora helps Philippines make World Cup history with country’s first ever appearance
When the Philippines’ soccer team faces Switzerland in a few hours time on Friday at the Women’s World Cup, they’ll be the first team of any gender from the Southeast Asian nation to make it to the tournament – boosted by a contingent of dual US nationals players.
Led by coach Alen Stajcic, who formerly coached the Australian Women’s National Team, the squad will make history no matter the result of Friday’s game.
Stajcic took the helm of the Filipino team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers under a three month contract, with the goal of “trying to give them the best possible chance to qualify.”
“A year and a half later, myself and all my coaching staff are still here,” he told CNN.
Since Stajcic took over as coach, he said the team has “come a long way.”
“A number of different objectives have been achieved in terms of building up the playing experience building up depth within the squad.”
To prepare for their first appearance in a World Cup, Stajcic said the team’s first objective “was to try and play against as many different playing styles as we could.”
He claimed they played “more matches than any other team in the world. Last year, we were up around the 30 mark.”
“The comfort that I have is knowing that we’ve done everything we could do to give us the best possible chance,” Stajcic told CNN ahead of the tournament.
“We go to the starting line next week thinking that we can be really competitive. We know we’re the underdogs. But at the same time, I know that we come into that starting line with a good preparation under our belts, with a belief and confidence that’s grown over time.”
Many of those on the squad are Filipina-Americans from the significant diaspora within the United States.
“If they have Philippines in their heart and in their blood, and they’re a good footballer, then they’re eligible for our team,” Stajcic told reporters at a press conference Thursday ahead of the team’s first match.
“I honestly couldn’t tell you where everyone was born and to me it’s irrelevant,” he added. “They all play for the flag, they all play for the country, they all play for the people of the Philippines, wherever they reside.
When the Philippines’ soccer team faces Switzerland in a few hours time on Friday at the Women’s World Cup, they’ll be the first team of any gender from the Southeast Asian nation to make it to the tournament – boosted by a contingent of dual US nationals players. Led by coach Alen Stajcic, who formerly…