With Fifa help, optimism high for women’s futsal program
The Philippines’ campaign in the inaugural Fifa (international football federation) ended in a 5-1 defeat to Argentina. But the cheers of the crowd defied the results on the scoreboard.
It gave the Filipina5 comfort in the knowledge that their efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
Not by the fans. Not by sports officials here and abroad.
The national team’s campaign ended with Isabella Bandoja’s second-half strike against Argentina, a goal she never expected to score.
“At that moment, I just wanted to give my team at least one assist,” she said of the low right-footer that sent 2,800 fans into a frenzy and showed what the national program can build on.
But the tournament’s true revelation came days earlier, in a painful 3-2 loss to Morocco. There, Inday Tolentin delivered the Philippines’ historic first World Cup goal before Cathrine Graversen doubled the lead. For a brief spell, the Filipina5 led 2-0—proof that they have what it takes to mix it up with the world’s best.
Tolentin had spoken about how important moments like that would be for the sport, long before kickoff.
“I want to give inspiration to the youngsters, especially those in the province,” she said. “Nothing is impossible as long as you aim for something. The process may be difficult, sometimes a long one, but the most important thing is to push and never quit.”
So amid the doses of reality—Poland’s clinical 6-0 mastery, Morocco’s comeback, Argentina’s seven-minute burst—came a reason to remain optimistic.
“We can’t take these moments for granted,” veteran Jaclyn Sawicki said. “Who knows when we’ll be at a World Cup again? The girls just have to keep their heads up and be resilient.”
Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick Gregorio reminded the team—and the country—that the work has just started.
“I was looking at Team Argentina. Nothing is different—same size, same physique,” he said. “The only difference is they’ve been doing it for 50 years.”
He urged the team to see hosting the World Cup not as a reward but a responsibility.
“We didn’t bring this tournament here just to participate. We brought it here to develop futsal, to show that Filipinos can excel, and to make football matter to 112 million people,” he said, adding that the country’s football program will get a boost from Fifa president Gianni Infantino. “Infantino told me he will help us get there,” Gregorio told the players.
