PFF thanks Filipinas for "uniting the country" during historic FIFA Women's World Cup stint

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) hailed the gallant Filipinas for "uniting" the whole nation during their historic campaign in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand.

PFF chief Mariano Araneta on Monday beamed with pride for the Filipinas, who ended their World Cup with a 1-0-2 win-draw-loss card despite being debutants at football's biggest stage.

The Filipinas defeated co-hosts New Zealand but fell to Switzerland and Norway to ultimately bow out of contention in the quadrennial event.

“Over the course of the last 18 months, the Filipinas united the country in support in their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance,” Araneta said in a statement.

“While they may have missed out on qualification to the knockout stages, they have achieved something greater and that was to see the entire Filipino community in the Philippines and wherever they are around the world show their overwhelming support to the team.”

PFF general secretary Atty. Ed Gastanes echoed Araneta, noting that the Filipinas became a source of hope and joy for Filipinos across the globe.

"We have also seen the outpouring of support from Filipinos all over the world as showed in the numerous watch parties in the Philippines and all over the globe," Gastanes said.

“While the team exits from the 2023 World Cup competition, their journey continues. Indeed, the heart and fighting spirit shown by the Filipinas will long be remembered in Philippine football history."

Meanwhile, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said he is expecting a strong finish from the Filipinas when they see action in the upcoming Asian Games in September in China.

Tolentino said the Philippines' showing in the World Cup is proof enough that the country can compete against the best teams in the world. The Allen Stajcic-led squad will face South Korea, Hong Kong, and Myanmar in the Asiad tourney.

"The Filipinas showed that they can compete on the world stage and in turn, the world took notice of how strong Filipinos could become in football,” Tolentino said.

“And the campaign proves we can still catch up in the Asian Games with an intact lineup.”

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News