Top-10 squads in path of Filipina5
The Philippines could see itself facing a maximum of two teams inside the top 10 of the world rankings once the groupings are set in Monday’s draw ceremony for the inaugural Fifa Women’s Futsal World Cup in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
The Filipina5 are hoping to get a favorable draw in the proceedings that start at 5 p.m. inside BGC Arts Center, especially since they won’t have the predicament of facing the top three teams in the world.
As hosts, the Philippines is in Pot 1 along with No. 1 Brazil, No. 2 Spain and No. 3 Portugal.
In Pot 2 are No. 4 Thailand, which the Philippines faced in last year’s Asean Women’s Futsal Championship, No. 5 Japan, No. 6 Argentina and No. 7 Italy, while in Pot 3 are No. 8 Colombia, No. 9 Iran, No. 14 Poland and No. 21 New Zealand.
Iran is another familiar foe as the Filipina5 lost, 1-0, to the Asian heavyweight a few months ago in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup in China after conceding a late goal, while New Zealand was once beaten by the Philippines in the 2023 Tri-Nation Invitational at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Pot 4 is composed of No. 31 Morocco, No. 74 Canada, No. 79 Panama and No. 82 Tanzania.
The Filipina5, coached by Rafa Merino, are looking to put on a competitive showing in the competition set Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City, with a lineup that will also see some players from the Philippine women’s football team.
Dionesa Tolentin, who dabbles on the indoor and the standard outdoor scene, is expected to be among the shoo-ins for the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Football Federation announced that volleyball star Vanie Gandler and Filipinas team captain Hali Long will take part in the draw.
Gandler, a member of Alas Pilipinas and a standout for Cignal in the Premier Volleyball League, will join Long as draw assistants.
Long, meanwhile, is coming off a loan spell with Thai club College of Asian Scholars in the qualifier for the AFC Women’s Champions League.
