Not to be outshined by the recent success of our men’s football team, Azkals; our Philippine national women’s football team – the MALDITAS -, will strut their wares and prove their worth at the up-coming AFF Women’s Championship in Vientaine, Laos this coming October 15-25, 2011.
The 2011 AFF Women’s Championship will be participated by eight member countries, including the Philippines.
Group stage elimination round is slated on October 16-21.
The Malditas are grouped along with Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar in Group B; while Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Laos are in Group A.
Philippines’ Malditas will first see action against Myanmar on October 17. They will then face Thailand on October 19, and then Malaysia on October 21.
Top two teams in each group will have a cross-over semifinal match on October 23; and the AFF Women’s Championship match is scheduled on October 25.
With around 30 members in the training pool including few foreign based players, our Philippine national women’s football team is currently busy training in preparation for the October Championship.
The 30-member training pool will be cut-down to final 20 members, who will be seeing action in Laos this October, to be headed by Malditas team captain, Marielle Benitez.
When asked about their chance at the AFF Women’s Championship, Marielle said that The Malditas have a good chance of making the semifinal round, but they are eyeing the championship trophy.
“Although, it will be tough because we will be in the same bracket with Thailand and Vietnam, we will go there to win.”, said Marielle. “We have been training hard and preparing ourselves by competing in the Ang Liga which is a Men’s tournament to get the much needed exposure against quicker and tougher opponents.”, she added.
Our Philippine national women’s team, is yet to make it to the semifinal round since the inauguration of AFF Women’s Championship in 2006. The closest we get was in the 2008 edition where the Malditas ranked 3rd in group stage elimination.
By: Devin Pulvera, www.azkalero.com
Isa po akong die hard fan ng football pero pakiusap lang sa Philippine Womens Football Team, please....... baguhin nyo yung monicker nyo. Negative talaga ang dating para sa ordinaryong fan na tulad ko. WEala na mang mawawala di ba? Go Girls! Wala sa personalidad nyo ang negative na word.
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