The Philippines Women’s National Football (Filipinas) has surely been through the wringer this past year. From big losses to managerial changes, it’s been quite the ride. From this fan’s perspective, here’s a look back at 2023-2024.
A New Era
It wasn’t long after our World Cup run that the team was back in action. In many ways, it was the beginning of a new era. Head Coach Alen Stajcic left, and Mark Torcaso stepped in. The team’s Asian Games campaign was promising. They won two of three group-stage games before a heavy 8-1 loss to Japan in the quarterfinals. The team played with 10 players after Hali Long received a red card in the first half. It was already a difficult game as it was because of who the opponent was. The torrential rain surely did not help. Despite the result, reaching the quarterfinals was a decent showing for the team’s first appearance at the Asian Games and Torcaso’s first major competition.
Next up was the Olympic Qualifiers where the Filipinas again went 2-1, but suffered an 8-0 defeat to Australia. The team was instructed to attack more in this match, which I believe was used as a benchmark to assess the team’s offensive capabilities. Our players got 1 of 4 shots on target compared to Australia’s 12/23. Friends, against teams like Japan and Australia, the difference in quality was clear. Those who watched this game were baffled as to why the team was experimenting with tactics and structure during a match as important as an Olympic Qualifier. Many believed that we had a decent chance to progress to at least the next stage if the team played with a more defensive approach – similar to Stajcic’s style. I could argue both ways, to be honest. In the end, the massive difference in goal ultimately kept them from progressing.
After the qualifiers, another ID camp was held in the last international window of 2023. The most notable attendee was Alexia Blanco who was playing for Osasuna that time but has since moved to Villareal. Unfortunately, it looks like nothing came of it since she hasn’t even been present in any of the succeeding camps. She does seem eager to play for the country. Her nationality as stated in the official website of Villareal and other sites is Filipino.
From that point, the team’s trajectory seemed to take a downward turn. I promise to try not to be all doom and gloom.
Fasten Your Seatbelt
The team’s next appearance was for the Pinatar Cup, an event marked by a bit of controversy. Despite being initially named to the squad, Captain Hali Long did not travel with the team to Spain. It wasn’t clear why she was absent but the situation wasn’t fully explained. The team lost all three games (versus Finland, Scotland, and Slovenia) without scoring a single goal. However, one positive takeaway in this window was the revelation of Katana Norman’s performance at fullback. That last-ditch slide tackle is still tattooed on my mind to this day. Norman impressed with her pace, her ability to join the attack, and her defensive awareness. Dare I say, she reminds me a bit of Emily Fox. She’s someone we’ll hopefully see more of in the future.
While the senior team struggled in Spain, the U17 squad showed promise at the MIMA Cup held a few days earlier. There, they faced top-tier teams like England and Sweden. While they lost both games (0-2 and 0-1, respectively), seeing our young players hold their own against tough opponents was encouraging.
In the April window, our senior team had 2 friendlies against South Korea. The downside? The team lost both games. In the first game, the defense was disjointed and didn’t look like they were communicating with each other, something I saw glimpses of during Pinatar. The upside? In the second game, the backline looked more solid and composed. Angie Beard seemed like she was the one leading that backline. Our Sierra Madre (what some fans call our backline) was back and looked like they had their head in the game. The team’s defensive efforts kept South Korea at bay with only 2 goals. Their attempts to move the ball forward forced the opponents to concede a free kick that gave the team’s first goal of the year and our only goal from that match. Thank you, Angie. What a mean left foot you have. I would also like to acknowledge Liv McDaniel who was in fine form and proved again why she’s our #1.
Before South Korea, fans were asked, “What would you consider a success for this set of friendlies?” I answered: “To not be beaten 5-0 again”. With this metric alone as my basis, this window, despite the losses, was a success. Bonus points that at the full-time whistle, South Korea’s coach was heard saying that he was frustrated that he didn’t dunk on our senior team 10-0 (allegedly). If you were to ask me which game made me think that I could see what Torcaso was trying to do, this was it. The midfield was still a problem, but the foundations of turning the team from a defensive-leaning unit to an attacking one were already there.
The senior team wasn’t the only one with a busy schedule. Our U17 squad had much to do for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. As preparation, they held a camp in Manila. They played 3 unofficial friendlies against KAYA FC, Manila Diggers, and a group of players from Ang Liga. Senior Team Captain Tahnai Annis, who joined the coaching staff, was heard singing their praises to anybody who would listen.
The team then traveled to Indonesia with high spirits. Our kids triumphed emphatically in the opening game against the host, 1-6. This was followed by an immediate humbling by North Korea where our girls lost 0-6. The U17 team then got a bit of revenge for the Ates, getting a 1-1 draw against South Korea. I still think we should have won that South Korea game if only the referee had been more competent. Bottomline, the kids are alright. 😀
Everything looked like they were on the up and up.
Then came the bombshell: long-time benefactor Jeff Cheng was stepping down as manager of the women’s team in June 2024. Citing “incompatibility” with the goals of PFF President John Gutierrez, Cheng’s departure sparked outrage. For years, he had been a pillar of support, providing the majority, if not all, of the funding for both the senior and youth women’s teams. From ensuring the players stayed in comfortable hotels during away games to funding scouting trips to unearth promising young talent, Cheng’s commitment went far beyond the call of duty. He even ensured the team had access to top-notch training facilities and a robust support staff.
Under his leadership, the team experienced a period of remarkable growth, which eventually landed us on the biggest stage of women’s football. Since Jeff Cheng’s appointment as team manager in 2017, the Philippines steadily rose through the FIFA World rankings from 74 in 2018 to 38 in 2023.
This remarkable progress makes his departure, shrouded in controversy, even more disheartening. It felt like the team’s progress was undermined by what seemed to be internal politics and it looks like they’re being sacrificed to feed the egos of others. With Cheng’s departure leaving a massive void, Freddy Gonzalez– who initially signed on as the men’s senior team manager – has taken on the responsibility of managing both senior teams while a search was made to find Jeff Cheng’s successor. Spoiler alert, they have not found a replacement yet, unfortunately.
Our senior team would not play a competitive match again until October. The June window was used to “assess” local-based players via a training camp with some of the senior team’s mainstays. None of these local players were called up for the Pink Ladies Week where we would play against Jordan and Kenya aside from Judy Connolly who I think was a standout and is Jackie Sawicki’s heir in that midfield role. The press release stated that the October window would serve as a testing ground for the ‘new, more attacking style of football’ the team aimed to implement. It wasn’t really new, as they’ve been trying to do it since Australia. Still, exciting times.
Among the other exciting surprises this window was getting the commitment from Maz Pacheco, a mainstay in the WSL despite her lack of minutes this season with Aston Villa, and Janae Defazio, a top player with experience playing in the NWSL for KC Current and top flight Portuguese team, Racing Power FC. As of this writing, Janae is no longer with Racing Power FC.
While Maz did not play (no passport yet so they made her do some media work), we saw Janae play as right back for the game against Jordan and even provided an assist (quite literally served the ball on a platter) for Sarina Bolden’s goal. There were flashes of fluid passing and the team certainly looked more comfortable on the ball. However, there were still defensive lapses that a better team would have taken advantage of. Still, they won 3-0 and they looked good doing it.
The Kenya match, however, exposed the vulnerabilities of the new attacking style. Forget the Sierra Madre backline. It was the Intramuros wall during the Battle of Manila. Despite a valiant effort and a goal from Bolden, the Filipinas were outpaced and outmuscled by a faster, more determined Kenyan side. Defensive frailties were evident, as demonstrated by an early goal conceded and an own goal forced by Kenya’s pressure. Even when surrounded by five Filipino players, Kenya scored a stunning goal from a distance, highlighting the team’s defensive struggles against a more clinical opponent. Kenya wanted to “win” more; ultimately, they were the better team.
Shortly thereafter, a series of home games was announced for the November/December window. Finally, the fans can see the girls live in action. But most importantly, it is an opportunity to experiment more with this style of football they want to play and see how new players like Maz Pacheco (who was supposed to get her passport sorted this November) will integrate into the team. The excitement, however, was short-lived. The team announced that the November/December camp was canceled because the team they were supposed to play against backed out for financial reasons and Rizal Memorial Stadium was going to be renovated. The decision raised questions, especially considering the men’s team’s camp went ahead as planned even if their scheduled opponent backed out. I was also at Rizal Memorial Stadium recently. What did they renovate exactly? It sure wasn’t the pitch.
Where We’re At
The team ends 2024 with only one win from seven matches and a goal difference of -14. What was meant to be a year of preparation for the 2025 ASEAN Women’s Championship has been marred by internal issues and external challenges. This is a stark contrast to the success of 2023, when the team had more games played and a better win-loss ratio.
Recent reports indicate that both senior teams will hold ID camps in the USA in January 2025, a potential step forward despite the setbacks of 2024.
As a fan, watching the men’s team progress while the women’s team has been sidelined is frustrating. Don’t get me wrong, I want both teams to succeed but the focus seems to be on the men’s team. How the management will juggle both teams’ tournaments next year remains uncertain. But as we’ve seen before, the Filipinas are resilient. They will continue to push forward, whatever the obstacles they face.
In the end, what the team needs now more than anything is accountability, consistency, and support. The talent is there; it just needs the right environment to flourish. As fans, we want to see progress—both on the field and in the way those in charge treat the team.
What’s next for the Filipinas? Only time will tell, but I remain hopeful that they will rise above the challenges and continue to make their mark on the world stage.
What are you expecting from the team moving forward?
Also, I’d like to acknowledge the team behind the team—the coaching staff, the physios, and the media people. I see you, and I appreciate you. You keep this train moving.
P.P.S. High-five if you’ve seen this headline somewhere else!
Rhea Jimenez is the author of the anthology, Mga Salmong Tugon: Nang Ibinulong Ko Sa Buwan Ang Aking Pag-Ibig. She spends her free time working for the man as a customer support representative. The rest of her time is spent writing when she could, working with her local community with their literacy program for kids, watching football, lurking on social media or at the beach to get some sunshine while dreaming up the next story she’ll write.
