The Filipinas Dominates The 2022 AFF Women’s Championship

The Filipinas Dominates The 2022 AFF Women’s Championship

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Filipino women make history her story, this time in football.

Related: 3 Filipina Athletes Tell Their Stories Of Female Empowerment In Sports

The Filipino spirit knows no bounds at anything, especially when it comes to giving pride in the country. Often celebrated yet at times underappreciated and under supported, Filipino athletes still continue to thrive because of their grit to win.

This time, a new group of women gives pride to the Philippines with their win the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship—the Filipinas, or the Philippine Women’s National Football Team.

The team bested Thailand in a 3-0 score the game last July 17 at the Rizal Stadium, making this the first major international title of the country in their field.

According to Lifestyle Asia’s report, it was defender Jessika Cowart’s move that led the team’s first goal in the first seven minutes of the game. Skipper Tahnai Annis and Katrina Guillou followed suit, with the latter slipping through Thai goalkeeper Chotmanee Thongmongkol. Finally, striker Sarina Bolden signed, sealed, and delivered the win to the Filipinas at the 88th minute.

According to Coach Alen Stajcic, “This win is truly exhilarating. We’ve climbed a little hill tonight. We’ve conquered Southeast Asia. But I know they are big mountains ahead. It is a big hill to climb and there are bigger challenges ahead of us.”

The PFF credits the Australian coach as “the architect of the first major international football win for the Philippines”.

Prior to this game, the Filipinas (using their then-name “Malditas”) clinched the victory against Chinese Taipei at the FC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 quarter-finals last January 30. That made history as the country’s first-ever ticket to the World Cup.

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