Sunday, June 4, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Sports Sports Columns

Eyes on the bigger picture

Erel CabatbatbyErel Cabatbat
June 30, 2022, 9:00 pm
in Columns, Sports, The Designated Kit Man by Erel Cabatbat
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

On Monday, July 4, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team will open its campaign in the AFF Women’s Championship 2022 against the Matildas of Australia. The Filipinas are in Group A along with Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Vietnam, Myanmar, Timore-Leste, Cambodia and Laos are in Group B.

To say that the group is tough is another understatement — a familiar line here at The Designated Kit Man.

Nevertheless, ever the optimist, we are hoping for the best for the national team, as always is the case whenevera national team competes in an international tournament.

Honestly, I can’t help but keep my hopes high for the team. It is coming from historic back-to-back wins against Bosnia and Herzegovina and a morale-boosting game against Ireland before flying to the country for the AFF Cup. The team also won its first medal in the Southeast Asian Games after more than three decades of futility. The team’s talent pool is quite deep that it enabled head coach Alen Stajcic the opportunity to test his players and their abilities in their last friendlies. And of course, the team has qualified to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The team is fit and ready, not to mention that morale is very high. Which is very important especially now that the Filipinas will get to play before the local crowd for the first time in the pandemic era.

Obviously, the home court advantage will also play a key role as the team will definitely have the crowd as the 12th woman on the pitch.

“I think it will mean that much more to get to play in front of all of our friends, family and supporters. Since we’ve been playing kind of all over now and haven’t really got to have that home field advantage, that home field crowd, and I think everyone’s just really excited for that. I think all the support we will have will really help us through this long tournament. So I know everyone’s really excited and really honored to be able to play in the Philippines,” Tahnai Annis said.

Dominique Randle also shared Annis’ enthusiasm in playing in the Philippines for the first time before their families and fans, who don’t get the opportunity to see them play “live.”

“I think is a really good opportunity just to thank them for all that they’ve have done just to support us while we’ve been training competing. And I think it’s really great to feel that familial support. Now that we’re here, I think we just take every game one step at a time. And hopefully we channel that energy that we have from the fans and from our families and we can show our heart through the way that we play,” she said.

Of course, a lot of credit should be given to the players and the coaching staff as well. The fruits of their sacrifices and efforts were evident in every game they played so far. So, pardon my enthusiasm for expecting a lot from the team like the majority of their fans.

Stajcic, however, cautions against high expectations from the team. He said that the team is still evolving. He knows that they are competing in a very tough group, but he admitted playing at home is definitely a big boost.

“There’s a lot of room for improvement in our game and and we’re working hard at training every single time and with video sessions and and all kinds of different methods of ensuring that everyone gets up to speed with becoming the best team we can be. We’re really happy with the progression we always are and we know we’re a word, hardworking team and disciplined and, and grateful for the opportunities we have to travel the world,” Stajcic said.

But he agreed that playing in the Philippines will be very special. It is a good opportunity for the players to thank their families, fans and supporters by playing well against the powerhouse teams in the competitions.

“We’re really looking forward to the next chapter and playing it on home soil is something special and and I’m sure something that the players are going to remember for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Again, Stajcic reminded everyone that the AFF tournament, win or lose, is just part of preparations for a bigger goal. That the tournament is part of a long journey that will take a lot from his team. And his players know this, too, and well.

“The AFF is an important tournament but I’ve always got one eye on the World Cup and we’ve said right from the outset — and the players are well aware of this— that one of the main goals of this team is to build the depth of the team not only for cover within the team for tournaments like this, but to put pressure on positions as you know, we want 27, 28 or 30 players competing for those final 23 jerseys at the World Cup. We need that internal rivalry and players knowing that they have to perform to keep earning their jerseys,” he explained.

He added that Australia and Thailand will offer the stiffest challenges in the group, but it doesn’t mean that the rest of the competitions will be easy. Despite these, Stajcic what will team learn during the tournament will be very important.

“It’s going to be a very tough challenge. But playing against different styles is always the best part as well. And Australia presents a different challenge to Thailand and then Thailand presents a different challenge to all the other teams in the group, so there’s a lot of different aspects to the tournament that make it really exciting one wanting to win the tournament and win a medal which I believe we haven’t done before,” he said.

After Australia, the Filipinas will face Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. All their games will be played at 7 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the semifinals.

Aside from the Filipinas, the country’s Under 19 team will also open their campaign in the AFF U-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia at 5 p.m. on July 1 against Thailand at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium. The boys are in Group A with Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Brunei.

Wishing our teams all the best in the coming days and also for the country for the next six years as well.

Compared to football, running and loving the Philippines are entirely different ball games.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_ca[email protected] or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

ADVERTISEMENT
Erel Cabatbat

Erel Cabatbat

Related Posts

Heat ready for another shot at Nuggets

byAFP
June 4, 2023, 8:00 am
0
8
Tim Cone’s classmates in Baler long for his visit

Miami are confident they can turn up the Heat against the Denver Nuggets in game two of the NBA Finals....

Read more

PH 3×3 cagers bag silver in Asean Para Games

byManila Standard
June 3, 2023, 9:00 pm
0
8
Pinoy Para lifters ready for battle

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—The Philippines settled for the silver medal after bowing to Thailand, 7-15, in the men’s 3x3 wheelchair basketball...

Read more

Dipolog bets shine in Dakak leg of Zampen Open Water Swim

byManila Standard
June 3, 2023, 8:50 pm
0
8
Pinoy Para lifters ready for battle

Dipolog City bets made a big splash in the recent fourth and final leg of the Zamboanga Peninsula Open Water...

Read more

POC sets Hangzhou AG Fun Run in Tagaytay City

byManila Standard
June 3, 2023, 8:40 pm
0
8
Pinoy Para lifters ready for battle

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will host the Hangzhou Asian Games Fun Run on Monday (June 5) in Tagaytay City...

Read more

Labadan finishes 8th in Asian gymnastics

byManila Standard
June 3, 2023, 8:30 pm
0
8
Labadan finishes 8th in Asian gymnastics

Breanna Labadan capped her campaign on Saturday on a downbeat note, winding up eighth and last in the ball event...

Read more

Pinoy Para lifters ready for battle

byManila Standard
June 3, 2023, 8:20 pm
0
8
Pinoy Para lifters ready for battle

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—The powerlifting competition of the 12th Asean Para Games will begin on Sunday with five Filipinos setting their...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • War hits sowing season in Sudan breadbasket, fuelling famine fears
  • Indian officials seek cause of train crash that killed at least 288
  • Nepali guide rescues climber from Everest death zone
  • Three Chinese astronauts return safely to Earth
  • Air strike injures 20 in residential area of Ukraine city: official
  • Pentagon says concerned over China’s ‘increasingly risky’ actions in Asia
  • Atayde calls for passage of adolescent pregnancy prevention bill
  • Kim’s sister slams UN meeting on North Korea’s spy satellite launch

Advertisement

Latest News

Pentagon says concerned over China’s ‘increasingly risky’ actions in Asia

byAFP
June 4, 2023, 11:00 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

The Pentagon voiced concern on Sunday over the Chinese military's "increasingly risky and coercive activities" in Asia. "We remain concerned...

Read more

Atayde calls for passage of adolescent pregnancy prevention bill

byThe Standard
June 4, 2023, 10:37 am
0
8
Atayde calls for passage of adolescent pregnancy prevention bill

IT IS time to fast track the passing of a measure that seeks to prevent the adolescent pregnancy in the...

Read more

Kim’s sister slams UN meeting on North Korea’s spy satellite launch

byAFP
June 4, 2023, 10:30 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong slammed the UN Security Council for holding a "most...

Read more

China defence minister warns against ‘NATO-like’ alliances in Asia-Pacific

byAFP
June 4, 2023, 10:00 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

China's defence minister warned against establishing "NATO-like" military alliances in the Asia-Pacific region on Sunday, saying they would plunge the...

Read more

‘Unsafe’ action by China near American ship in Taiwan Strait: US

byAFP
June 4, 2023, 9:30 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

A Chinese Navy ship maneuvered in an "unsafe manner" near an American destroyer transiting the Taiwan Strait, the US military...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App