Hold on to identity, coach urges PH women
The Philippine women’s futsal team wraps up its Fifa Futsal Women’s World Cup campaign with nothing at stake and a daunting task against a superior Argentina squad on Thursday.
But that doesn’t mean that coach Rafa Merino’s side will just show up for the 8:30 p.m. match at PhilSports Arena and bid adieu to its stint in the inaugural world competition.
“We’ll just try to do better and try to compete until the end,” Merino said.
The Filipina5 were eliminated from contention for a group stage berth after being battered by Poland, 6-0, and squandering a two-goal lead against Morocco before falling, 3-2.
And the odds are truly stacked against them, with Argentina having assured itself of reaching the quarterfinals by way of beating Morocco, 6-0, and holding off Poland’s rally to win, 3-2.
Merino said the Filipina5 should stay true to their identity.
“We don’t have to look for extraordinary, just be ourselves and do better,” the Filipina5 mentor said.
The Filipina5 are hoping to leave a lasting impression before a home crowd that could either shrink because of the nonbearing nature or could at least maintain its number in a continued expression of support for the ladies.
Loyal crowd
A crowd of 2,200 came to watch the matchup with Poland, while 1,771 attended the thrilling contest with the Moroccans.
In both games, fans expressed their show of support, with the familiar Ultra Filipinas group leading the cheers and chants from the general admission section with drums and banners.
They and the rest of the Filipina5 faithful were left heartbroken by the last setback, but they’ll want nothing more than to at least see the team put Argentina in a tough situation.
Dionesa “Inday” Tolentin is once again expected to lead the Filipina5, and could play with plenty of fire with nothing at stake and being the country’s first goalscorer in the competition.
