Angela Beard on being part of the Filipinas: It feels like home

Defender Angela Beard was the newest addition to the Philippine national women's football team for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Beard made her official debut with the Filipinas during their match against Switzerland on July 21 and in their second game on Tuesday, the national team already got its first goal and victory in the World Cup.

It was an emotional moment as well for Beard.

"I was actually crying with Bella Flannigan after the game," she told GMA Integrated News, adding that it took her around 15 months to officially join the team.

"Now that I'm here, it feels like home."

Home is where the heart is and it seemed like Beard easily gelled with the team - just in time, too, for the World Cup.

"I cherish obviously all the time that I've had in my career so far but being here with these girls, I just can't explain it. It feels like I can just be me. It feels like 100% so welcomed into the group," she added.

She hopes things will favor them as they face Norway in a crucial match on Sunday.

"I hope we can keep the results like this," Beard said after their win last Tuesday.

A win for the Filipinas on Sunday would boost their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang, with reporting by Ryan Fenix/JMB, GMA Integrated News