The Philippine Women’s National Football Team has clinched a historic spot in the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) World Cup as it advanced towards an equally historic first appearance in the semi-finals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup and a potential regional championship title.
Team Philippines secured its berth in the prestigious World Cup to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023 after winning on penalties over Chinese Taipei, 4-3, in their AFC Asian Cup quarterfinals match on Sunday, January 30, 2022, held in India.
The Filipina squad’s goals delivered by Sarina Bolden, Olivia McDaniel, and Quinley Quezada advanced the Philippines to the semi-finals game against South Korea on Thursday, February 3.
The Philippine Women’s National Football Team tweeted its jubilation at raising the Philippine colors inside the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.
https://twitter.com/philfootball/status/1487837882957975553
The Asian Cup Twitter account followed up minutes later with its acknowledgment of the historic firsts achieved by the Philippine team, more popularly known as the Malditas.
“History-makers The Malditas explore unknown measures of Pride & Joy
First #WAC Semi-Final | First #FIFAWWC”
https://twitter.com/afcasiancup/status/1487839998623813637?s=20&t=WDhiw7InKVIgPHDOr_L7oQ
Another historic win in the semis will send the Filipina athletes to a final match for the AFC Asian Cup championship title against the winner of the Japan-China game.
Team Philippines earlier delivered a first for the country as the ladies advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after it swept Indonesia, 6-0, on January 27.
That win gave the Filipina football team the spot as the No. 2 team in Group B which set up its match against Group A’s No. 2 team, Chinese Taipei.
The Philippines qualified for the Asian Cup Women’s continental finals after topping its qualifiers group matches in September.
The Philippines’ women’s football team notched its highest FIFA rank ahead of the 2022 AFC Asian Cup.
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