Malditas preliminary squad for Asian Cup/World Cup qualifiers

The list is out for the Malditas for the qualifiers. This will be further trimmed down to 23 with 2 reserves by April 20:

1 ALQUIROS Natasha
2 BENITEZ Marielle
3 COOKE Heather
4 DAYOT Mallory
5 DE LOS REYES Christina
6 FERNANDO Isabella
7 KOMARC Abigail
8 LADERO Loreta
9 IMPELIDO Patrice
10 MONDERO Aisa
11 MAGDOLOT Marice
12 NIERRAS Samantha
13 PALACIOS Inna
14 RODRIGUEZ Camille
15 REGALADO Nikki
16 CRUZ Leah
17 ROMERO Milka
18 YNIGUEZ Adrian
19 METILLO Angel
20 HAMMOND Jenny
21 BARNEKOW Catherine
22 MEJILLA Ashley
23 CONFESOR Valaine
24 COOK Sarah
25 CORDERO Christiane
26 DELEON JoEllen
27 HOUPLIN Joana
28 KOBINSKI Cassandra
29 LEE Monika
30 LIM Katherine
31 MONTEJO Alyssa
32 NICHOLS Rachel
33 ORO Dominique
34 PARK Marisa
35 TILTON Malia
36 SALVACION Shelby
37 SHUGG Jesse
38 TOLENTINO Karly
39 WHELCHEL Sharon
40 WILSON Camille
41 ARCHER Chelsea
42 ARCHER Christina
43 COLLADO Olivia
44 JURADO Megan
45 LAROT Raylene
46 BROWN Morgan
47 DIAZ Alexa
48 BAYSA Chalise
49 SHIPE Maria
50 CHRISTIANSEN Carissa

PH Malditas eye World Cup spot

Malditas in LA Vikings Cup- New teams, new schedule

Malditas , the Philippines Women`s NT were going to participate in LA Vikings Cup starting this week , playing against LA Vikings, California Cosmos and Trinidad & Tobago NT.

LA Vikings and Trinidad & Tobago have pulled out now , replaced by club teams Leon and Metro Stars


Originally more NTs where participating like Canada, New Zealand and Haiti but all pulled out of the tournament.


New Schedule :

Friday 23 : Philippines vs Metro Stars, Casey Field , LA College, 2.15 pm ,PST
Saturday 24 : Philippines vs California Cosmos , Casey Field, LA college, 12 pm , PST
Sunday 25 : Philippines vs Leon , Allen Leyne Stadium , Downey High School 6 pm, PST

Finals on Tuesday 27

website link

Inaugural LA Viking Cup Announced

Four Teams from Three Nations to Compete in the Inaugural Edition of the Annual Tournament


After several months of planning and scheduling, the 2012 Viking Cup has been finalized. Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Football Team, Philippines Women’s National Football Team, LA Vikings and the California Cosmos will compete in the inaugural tournament.

The LA Viking Cup 2012 is an invitational tournament for women’s teams worldwide. The Cup will be held at Titan Stadium, in Fullerton, California from November 23 through December 1, fielding some of the best female players in the world.

Robert P. Kleinberger, president of the LA Viking Club, made the official announcement on Monday, October 15.

“We are thrilled to finalize the tournament participants,” said Kleinberger. “With this year’s International competition, including Olympic qualifying and the 2012 Olympics, it was difficult to get the early commitment of participating nations. After the Games, there were many countries facing changes in their coaching and structure, therefore limiting additional participation. Finally, the on-going world economy was an obstacle for many other countries to get funding for their participation.”


“With all those factors in mind,” he added, “and understanding that we have to start at some point, we have continued our efforts to present a well-run and competitive tournament, thus setting the stage for future annual tournaments, while maintaining our goal of promoting the highest level of women's soccer in Southern California while maintaining a fan friendly and entertaining environment.”


“With all these factors in mind,” Kleinberger explained, “we now welcome the participation of Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Team, the so called 'Soca Princesses.' They are one of the top women's national football teams in the Caribbean region. They are currently coached by Even Pellerud who is also the coach of the Under-17 and Under-20 teams. Their goal is to obtain experience toward future competition.”

“We also welcome the Philippines Women’s National Football Team. These are the ‘Malditas’ and will represent the Asian Football Federation. For Philippines soccer, there is much more than just a tournament. Under coach Ernie Nierras, Philippines is gearing up to start a women’s Super league and this tournament will give Nierras a solid look of the quality of soccer in the States.”


“International Soccer and CONCACAF area soccer will be represented by two California Teams: LA Vikings and California Cosmos. Both of these teams are special teams formed to compete at top-notch levels. The difference is that while the LA Vikings are fielding the best available international players, the Cosmos have a base of top Amateur players that are looking into a soccer career and want to test their skills against world-class competition. This is an opportunity seldom seen by these players,” Kleinberger concluded.

In addition to single round competition with Championship and Third Place games, all participating teams will have the opportunity to play Friendly games starting on November 17, 2012.

Tickets are now available via the tournament’s official site: http://www.lavikingcup.us.

Soccernation

Malditas yield to Viets, bow out of Asean football semis

By Olmin Leyba

The Philippine Malditas played with a lot of heart but still yielded a 2-4 setback to powerhouse Vietnam to kiss their semis bid goodbye in the 2012 Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship last night at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.

The loss, coming after a 0-3 setback to Myanmar last Thursday, effectively ousted the Malditas from the cross-over semis with still one game left in their elims slate in Group A. The Pinays, who have assembled their stronger lineup, will try to bow out on a bright note against Singapore on Monday.

The Malditas surrendered two goals to Vietnam in the first 45 minutes of action, the first coming off a miscue by goal keeper Inna Palacios that set the tone for the match.

Fil-Am Heather Cooke put Phl XI on the board as the Malditas tried to mount a second-half fightback to try to revive their fortunes but the host Vietnamese countered with two more goals to make it 4-1. Patrice Impelido connected off a corner to give the Malditas some consolation before the final whistle.

philstar

AFF WOMEN’S: Myanmar Beat Philippines In Opener

HO CHI MINH CITY (13 Sept 2012) –Myanmar put up enough of a performance in their first game of Group A of the AFF Women’s Championship 2012 to beat the Philippines 3-0 here at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

With the team touted to carry Myanmar’s challenge for the SEA Games gold which they will be hosting in 2013, there are certainly plenty of work to be done in the next twelve months for the team under Yoshinori Kumada.

For the Philippines, they are still a long way to be able to compete against the higher-ranked teams in ASEAN where perhaps their only source of talent is in striker Heather Cooke.

And she certainly showed plenty of pace at the start of the tie but her crosses were not well supported by his team-mates and were easily cleared by the Myanmar backline.

Just five minutes in, Myanmar went ahead off a quick counter-attack with Khin Moe Wai delivering the cross that was glanced in by San San Maw.

The game then went into a big midfield battle as neither team could stamp their dominance. Myanmar seem to lose focus while for the Philippines, they just lacked direction and pace.

In the 38^th minute, off a mistake from Philippine defender Natasha Alquiros, the waiting Zat Chi Oo just pounced on the ball to slot the ball home beyond the reach of keeper Inna Palacios.

Two goals downs, the Philippines tried to recover into the second half as they look to be more confident on the flanks. In the 62^nd minute, Alquiros floated in the corner but Cooke’s header went straight to Myanmar keeper May Khin Ya Min.

Myanmar got a great chance to score their third goal in the 82^nd minute when Palacios slipped inside the box, but May Thu Kyaw’s attempt narrowly missed the upright.

But with two minutes remaining on the clock, the Philippines gave away a penalty when Mallory Dayot brought Yee Yee Oo inside the box. San Maw did not hesitate from the spot for Myanmar’s third and final goal of the game.

 aseanfootball.org

AFF Women`s Championship : Philippines 0-3 Myanmar

First match of AFF Women`s Championship in Vietnam

Philippines vs Myanmar at 5 pm (Manila time)

Philippines playing Myanmar which they lost 2-0 in the previous championship

Philippines playing Vietnam on Saturday and Singapore on Monday

No Philippines tv

Result will be updated in my blog

Expected starting XI : Palacios, Dayot, O'Connor, Magdolot, Alquiros, Benitez, Nierras, P.Impelido, Modero, Ladero, Cooke.


5 min Myanmar score 0-1
38 min Myanmar score 0-2

0-2 HT

88 min Myanmar score 0-3

0-3 FT

In the second match in the group today , Vietnam won 10-0 against Singapore

Fil-Am beauty to anchor Malditas attack in Asean Championship

Karl Decena, InterAKTV

The Philippine national women’s football team will field what could be its best lineup in years for the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship this week, and their attack would be anchored on one player: Filipino-American striker Heather Cooke.

Malditas coach Ernie Nierras said the 5-foot-9 Cooke, who was converted from a central defender into a forward, gives the team the edge it has been looking for.

“If you watch how they play, this is not the type of team that will throw the ball long,” Nierras said. “This is the type of team that will keep possession on the ball and then we’ll find our big girl.

“As soon as Heather faces the goal, we’ll give it to her.”

Cooke, who joined the team last year after playing varsity football at US NCAA school Loyola University Maryland, sees no problem playing her new position.

“It actually that wasn’t hard because I played offense when growing up,” said Cooke, whose mother traces her roots to Iloilo. “I’m hungry for the ball. It’s fun. I like it.”

The brunette beauty, who moonlighted as a cast member of MTV’s Real World Las Vegas, said that she welcomes her new attacking role because it would bring more attention to her — on the football pitch.

“A lot of people don’t really see what the defense brings,” Cooke said. “Now I’m gonna be in the position where I can make a more noticeable effect.

“It will be a lot of fun and I’m happy to play as a striker.”

The Malditas will start their campaign for in this year’s AFF championship on Thursday against last year’s finalist Myanmar. They will face 2010 champion and host Vietnam on Friday and Singapore on September 17 in their Group A matches.

They need to finish in the top two of the group to move on to the crossover semifinals, where they will meet the best two teams from Group B that features defending champion Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In the past four editions of the tournament, the Malditas failed to advance past the group stages of the competition.

Nierras earlier said he expects the team powered by Cooke to crash the finals. “If we don’t make it to the finals, we will be disappointed,” he said.

interaksyon

"Strongest ever" Malditas hope to reach AFF Women`s finals

By Karl Decena

Despite lackluster performances in the previous years, the Philippine national women’s football team is setting its sights on an ambitious goal in the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship this September in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
“We want to make it to the finals,” Malditas coach Ernie Nierras said. “If we don’t make it to the finals, we will be disappointed.”
Nierras made the pronouncement despite the Malditas’ failure to get past the group stages in the past four editions of the tournament. However, he believes that this year’s lineup is the most formidable the country has ever had.
“The team that I have now, this is the strongest I’ve ever seen in the women’s national team,” Nierras said.
The Malditas will be led by team captain Marielle Benitez, a many-time UAAP Most Valuable Player from La Salle. The team also boasts a number of Fil-foreigners such as Fil-Americans Heather Cooke, Ashley O’Connor, Abby Komarc, Angeline and Patrice Impelido, Fil-Australian Nenita Burgess and Fil-Canadian Mallory Dayot.
The team will also be bolstered by players from the UAAP schools, such as Louella Amamio, Jowee-Ann Barruga, Aisa Mondero and Marice Magdolot from University of Santo Tomas; Inna Palacios, Samantha Nierras and Natasha Alquiros from La Salle; Isabella Fernando and Kathleen Rodriguez from Ateneo; Etang Ladero and Vanessa Mondero from Far Eastern University; and Cristina Delos Reyes from University of the Philippines.
Nierras added that he is confident about their chances this year as they had better preparation this year.
“We’ve been training for eight months. Unlike last year na medyo hirap tayo, we are able to address all the needs this time,” Nierras said. “This is the only time that we played 30 games to prepare (for the tournament).”
The Malditas will battle Myanmar, last year’s finalist, on September 13, host Vietnam, also the 2010 champion, on September 14, and Singapore on September 17 to complete their matches in Group A.
The Filipinas need to finish in the top two of their group to advance to the crossover semifinals and face the two best teams in Group B that features defending champion Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Interaksyon

FIFA World Ranking Women - Philippines staying at number 85

FIFA World Ranking for Women was released today.

Philippines staying at number 85, same as June ranking.


ASEAN

30 Thailand -1
31 Vietnam -
47 Myanmar -
66 Indonesia -1
82 Laos -
85 Philippines -
86 Malaysia -
92 Singapore -

FIFA

Women`s football to build a Premier League

By Roy Moore

Women’s football will soon have its own league, similar to the UFL, which is expected to kick off early in 2013. The league will showcase the best talents in women’s football, and is also designed to aid the Philippine women’s national team, known as the Malditas, the team’s head coach Ernest Nierras said, in an upcoming episode of “FTW.”

The league will be made of six or seven teams which will play in a round-robin format three times to decide the champion. Those six or seven teams will be made up of the best players from the upcoming Women’s Super Cup, which will be contested starting August 19 between fourteen teams including Global, Loyola, Superstrikers, Sikat FC and a variety of UAAP teams including Ateneo, UST, FEU, UP and La Salle.

With the Super Cup showcasing the best of the already existing women’s clubs, owners of teams in the upcoming women’s league will get a chance to scout teams and players they want to form a new club from.

The names of these owners will be become apparent over the next month.

Ownership structure

With FIFA consulted from the earliest stages, the Women’s Super League is looking to be as professional as possible. The winner of the league format would be representing the Philippines in the AFC Champions League, against competition from other teams in Asia.

Six potential owners have already been identified and the ownership structure is different to other leagues in that they will look for clubs and players to buy during the Women’s Super Cup, to essentially start new teams, rather than allowing pre-existing teams to apply and join.

Malditas will be drafted

One of the reasons for this change in format, and one of the more exciting aspects of the league, is that the Malditas will be drafted. Rather than forming their own team, such as Malditas FC, the players of the national women’s football team would be evenly split between the six clubs. Each of the clubs would have a pick of the roughly thirty Malditas to be drafted so that they begin from a competitive starting place.

After the five rounds of picks, clubs can then trade with each other at will, adding a tactical element and strategic risk – something Coach Ernie was clearly excited about. In addition, National team players will also have a ‘salary cap’ which acts more as a minimum wage than a ceiling as it guarantees that the Malditas will earn at least a certain salary rather than limiting their earning potential.

After the first year of drafting, however, the league will return to the more usual format of signing rights which characterizes European leagues – teams negotiate with each other to buy and sell players with no draft. Coach Ernie explained that a draft would be needed at the start so that one rich team couldn’t just buy up all the Malditas and stack the league – the draft will ensure the league’s competitiveness for the first season and then clubs can manage the transfers afterwards.

Improving the National team

Coach Ernest Nierras was eager to impress that this would “create a market for the Malditas” and lead to incentives for other players to strive to join the national team. The regular football for the women’s players would also improve their fitness and team cohesion for future tournaments.

As coach of the national team Ernest Nierras will not be part of any of the clubs and will remain on the technical side of the league. He hopes, however, that this will massively improve women’s football and make it more competitive with other countries in the region and further off.

One exciting development could well be the inclusion of foreign players, with no limit at the start to how many foreign players a team can field, as countries such as Brazil do not have a women’s league. The matches will be played on several pitches, including the Bonifacio Turf, La Salle, Ateneo and Rizal High School pitches. - AMD, GMA News

Malditas to play Canada WNT ?

Philippines women`s NT (Malditas) is scheduled to play  in a 8 nations tournament in Los Angeles , USA in November.

They are in group B with Canada WNT (!) and two more teams to be confirmed.

Group A got New Zealand , Haiti , LA Vikings (USA) and one more team to be confirmed.

The tournament start on 21. November

LA Vikings

Malditas to Thailand ?

Malditas (Philippines Women`s NT)  is planning going to Thailand in the end of May .

Not clear yet if this will be just  a training camp or  participating in  4 nations tournament ?

Malditas in 5 nations tournament

The friendly match against Qatar Women`s national team been postponed and Malditas (Philippines Women`s team) will play in a 5 nations tournament in Qatar in March

Malditas to Qatar ?

Philippines Women`s NT (Malditas) is romoured to go to Qatar to play a friendly on Nov 20 or 25.

Why do they go to Qatar to play against the worst Women`s NT in the world ?

Myanmar XI trips Malditas; coach fumes

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

An improved Philippine women’s side yielded to powerhouse Myanmar, 0-2, in controversial fashion Monday in the AFF Women’s Championship at the National Stadium in Vientiane, Laos.

Playing their first international match in two years, the Malditas fell behind in the fourth minute and were down 0-2 by halftime, before holding their ground in the second half—a performance they will try to build on when they face Thailand at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Natasha Alquiros couldn’t make the most of the Malditas’ best chance in the 30th minute when her shot only flew inches above the crossbar, before the Malditas were denied a penalty for a Myanmar handball in the second half.

The result left Malditas coach Ernie Nierras enraged, claiming that Myanmar’s first goal was offside and his team should have been given a penalty for the blatant handball.

“I’m pissed, the girls are pissed,” Nierras said. “We would have won this game. I would not be upset if Myanmar was totally superior.”

Nierras said his players looked a little jittery in the first half, but “did quite better offensively in the second and even had a few good attempts.”

“The second half was ours,” he said. “Myanmar ran out of steam. Our girls kept attacking until the final whistle. Myanmar couldn’t even get out of its own half in the final 10 minutes.”

Even Myanmar coach Yoshinori Kumada was surprised at the Malditas’ gallant stand.

“Sure we were expecting to score lots of goals but the Philippines have improved a lot and that made it tough for us,” said Kumada in an article on aseanfootball.org.

The Malditas have no recourse but to beat Thailand and win via a big margin against Malaysia in their last group match to stand a chance of moving into the semifinals.

Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the last four.

“If Thailand wants to win this game, they would have to take it from us,” said Nierras.

inquirer.net

Malditas launch title bid in Asean women's football

MANILA, Philippines - Looking to draw momentum from the gains of the Azkals, the Philippine Malditas kick off their own campaign today against Myanmar in the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship in Vientiane, Laos.

The Malditas make their first international appearance after a two-year hiatus in the Group B duel with Myanmar at 4 p.m., determined to make inroads just like their male counterparts.

“We’ve not had many women football activities in the past two years, so this meet is important. We are looking at developing the women’s game in the long term,” said Phl coach Ernest Nierras.

Four Fil-foreigners have beefed up the Malditas - Fil-American Heather Cooke, a former Division 1 player at Loyola Maryland; US-based Patrice Impelido and Fil-Germans Cristina Keuter and Lorrene Bayani.

Keuter followed the Malditas to Vientiane yesterday after suspected dengue prevented her from flying in with the rest of the crew last Friday. Nierras said the Fil-German midfielder has been cleared to hook up with her teammates led by skipper Marielle Benitez and Sam Nierras for the campaign.

After Myanmar, the Filipinas will take on Thailand on Oct. 19, then Malaysia on Oct. 21, hoping to be in the Top 2 of Group B to make it to the crossover semis on Oct. 23. The finals and battle for third will be played on Oct. 25.

“If all things go according to plan, we aim to be there on Oct. 25,” Nierras said.

aseanfootball

Malditas announce squad for AFF Women’s Championship

OCTOBER 14 (Sugod.com) – Philippines women’s national football team announced the 20-women squad for the upcoming 2011 AFF Women’s Championship in Vientiane, Laos.

The list includes Maria Antoinette Sibug del Carmen, Louella Leah Amamio, Isabella Francesca Miranda Francisco, Samantha Camille Dacanay Nierras, Jowee-Ann Barruga, Marielle Moya Benitez (C), Marice Magdolot, Nikki Regalado, Natasha Claudine Garcia Alquiros, Joma Clemente, Betina Lucia Manzano Yang, Inna Kristianne Beza Palacios (GK), Kathleen Camille Muldog Rodriguez, Aisa Soberano Mondero, Zipporah de la Torre Luna (GK), Patrice Mae Impelido, Heather Diosano Cooke, Cristina Rubi Keuter, Lorrene Jalina, and Angel Metillo. Malditas depart for Laos on Friday.


sugod

The Malditas grabbing football by the balls

MANILA, Philippines - With the resurgence of the nation’s football dreams, watchful eyes are on the progress of each program, including the woman’s national team. Even its name has been unable to escape scrutiny but at the moment, Ernie Nierras, head coach women’s team, has more important things to worry about than defending the team’s moniker, the Malditas.

Oct. 16 is the start of the 2011 AFF Women’s Championship to be held in Vientiane, Laos, with the team looking forward to blazing through the rounds up to the very last day — Oct, 25, when the top two countries face each other in the finals.

Nierras believes that Thailand is the favorite to win this year, noting Vietnam and Myanmar are the other teams to beat, as the Azkals’ female counterpart has already defeated the likes of Laos, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia in the past. Whether or not the campaign abroad brings home the trophy, it is apparent that bigger plans are to continue in dedication to the sport of this now football-crazed nation. “The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s Committee, the committee that manages the Malditas, in cooperation with the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC), will allow the women’s national teams the access to the first public football field built on artificial turf,” Nierras announces. “Now we have a field we can consistently train on. Better facilities can only mean better training and better teams.”

Nierras adds that the field, slated to be done by Dec. 15, will be holding competitive tournaments for both men and women, from the younger squads to the seniors. Clinics and football academies will also be arranged once the venue starts its operations. Meanwhile, Nierras shares with us the status of the Malditas coming into the much-anticipated Southeast Asian-wide tournament the squad has ever had to face since its two-year break from representing our flag in the international level.

Coach Nierras believes that Thailand is the favorite to win this year.

YOUNG STAR: How will the Fil-foreign recruits fare in the tournament knowing you’re counting on them to serve as your impact players?

COACH ERNIE NIERRAS: My expectation for the Fil-foreigners (Heather Cooke, Cristina Keuter, Patrice Impelido and Lorrene Bayani) is that they will complement the local players. Patrice is not new to the team. She is one of the senior members. Together with Marielle Benitez, Sam Nierras and Natasha Alquiros, I expect all of them to be the leaders of the team.

We know that when it comes to most sports, women have their work cut out for them in terms of proving themselves. Why do you think the Malditas, just like the rest of our representatives in international sports, deserve the attention and support of our fellow Filipinos?

These girls are the mavericks of women’s sports. They are gutsy enough to be called the Malditas. Now they have to show the Filipino sports fans that being a Maldita is not a bad thing at all. This is something good not only for Philippine sports, but for women’s sports, in general.

You’ve mentioned the important role of some of the universities, colleges and schools to the success of the national squad.

Allow me to thank the coaches for supporting us: Coach Bon Estrabon (University of Santo Tomas), Coach Hans Smit (De la Salle University / De la Salle-Zobel), Coach Bob Manlulo (Miriam College), Coach Angie (Colegio de San Agustin) and Coach Kleng Cacacho (International School Manila). Also, I’d like to thank the University of Makati for allowing us free use of their facilities. The other coaches should be ready to explain themselves, when their schools find out that they have no players (playing as a Maldita). I expect the training pool of the Malditas to grow after this (AFF) tournament.

What’s in store for the Malditas as we bid the team good luck in Laos?

We need to acknowledge the support of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). The PFF president (Mariano Araneta Jr.) supports women’s football 100 percent. We have coaching courses and seminars, specific to helping coaches of women’s teams. We have refereeing courses for female referees. We will also be working on our grassroots program. The future looks really bright for women’s football in the Philippines.


philstar

Malditas positive on chances in AFF women's tilt

MANILA, Philippines -- With an overhauled squad featuring youthful players, the Philippine national women squad is positive about its chances in the ASEAN women’s football tournament in Vientiane, Laos.

National coach Ernie Nierras believes the team, also known as the Malditas, can improve from their 6th place finish last year in the upcoming ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Football Championship, which runs from October 16 to 25.

“If all things go according to plan, we aim to be there on October 25,” said Nierras, referring to the date of the championship, on Tuesday’s PSA forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila.

Nierras was joined in the session backed by Shakey’s, Smart, PAGCOR and Outlast Battery by Fil-Am Heather Cooke, Fil-German Kristina Kuter, Belai Fernando and Sam Nierras, the daughter of the national coach.

The elder Nierras said the Malditas is bracketed in Group B with top seed Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia.

Group A is consisted of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and Laos.

The Filipina booters will open their campaign on October 17 against Myanmar.

“We finished sixth out of eight teams the last time we competed in this tournament in 2009, but with the players we have now, I’m optimistic we can do better this time around,” the coach said.

The 5’8” Cooke, who has been getting raves from the coaching for her play, said she was delighted to make her national team debut with the Malditas.

“It’s a great privilege for me to play for the country of my mom,” said Cooke, whose mother hails from Iloilo. “I hope that I can contribute to this team.”

The 22-year-old defender played for Loyola Maryland in the NCAA Division 1.

The bespectacled Kuter, meanwhile, immediately impressed Nierras with her playing ability.

Kuter’s mother is a native of Kabangkalan, Negros Occidental, saw practice for the first time with the Malditas early Tuesday morning.

“All I heard was ‘boom, boom, boom’ in practice before we got here,” said Nierras of the 22-year-old midfielder’s powerful shots during the workout of the bespectacled Fortuna Cologne stalwart.

The 22-year-old Nierras, a mainstay of the Ateneo women’s varsity squad, said the recent additions made her also hopeful on their chances in the AFF competition.

The nationals are scheduled to fly for Laos on October 13, a day before the team managers’ meeting in the 8-nation tournament, the elder Nierras said.

inquirer.net