Filipinas welcome tough AFC challenge
The Philippine team is embracing the challenge of facing some of the region’s elite teams after being drawn in Group C of the AFC Women’s U-17 Asian Cup in Suzhou, China.
“If our objective is to take the Philippines as far as possible, we have to measure ourselves against the very best,” coach Selu Lozano said after the young Filipinas were grouped with North Korea, South Korea and Chinese Taipei.
It will be the second straight time the Philippines will take part in the competition that kicks off in May.
Two years ago in Bali, Indonesia, the Filipinas placed third in Group A behind the two Korean nations and host Indonesia, falling short of reaching the knockout stage after a 1-1 draw with South Korea.
Alexa Pino, Jael-Marie Guy and Ariana Markey were among the prominent players on that squad, with the tournament later serving as a stepping stone to their rise to the Filipinas’ senior squad.
The three eventually became part of the team that won the gold in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December.
“When you clearly understand what the top level looks like and you honestly understand where you are, that’s when real building begins,” Lozano said. “This program is not about one tournament. It’s about a 10-, 20-, even 30-year strategy to close the gap and raise our standard sustainably.
“In the short term, we compete to advance. In the long term, we build to belong,” added Lozano.
North Korea pummeled the Philippines, 12-0, in the 2024 Asian Cup, while Chinese Taipei qualified for the Asian Cup for the first time since 2015.
The Filipinas U-17 reached the Asian Cup by virtue of their convincing showing in the qualifying phase last October in Tajikistan, winning all three matches in Group A.
They beat Syria, 5-0, highlighted by a brace from Ariana Enderes; downed Tajikistan, 2-0, before cruising past Malaysia, 4-0, with three different scorers.
