Philippines' women's football coach says "Goodbye" to the Filipinas

Coach Alen Stajcic brought the Filipinas to the World Cup for the first time.

After guiding the Philippines' Women National Football Team to through a historic journey to the FIFA World Cup, coach Alen Stajcic has decided to could explore other options rather than stay with the Filipinas.

Stajcic's contract and the contract of Assistant Coach Nahuel Arrarte expired at the conclusion of the PWNFT’s World Cup campaign. They will not be renewed as both coaches have asked to explore other options, said a press release from the PWNFT.

"Without question," Stajcic said in a statement, "the two best experiences of my coaching career thus far were the last two World Cup matches.

"Beating New Zealand on home soil and scoring our first World Cup goal and getting our first win was the things that dreams are made of," he stated.

"And despite the scoreline, the last match against Norway, where 34000 patrons attended, with 30000 singing for the Filipinas, brought shivers down our spine.
It showed that Football does belong in the Philippines, and that legacy is something we are all proud of."

Among the options Stajcic might be considering is assuming the vacant role with Perth Glory’s A-League men’s side.

Stajcic released his statement earlier today:

“I would first and foremost like to express my gratitude to Sir Jeff for giving us the opportunity and entrusting us with the keys to the National Team.

"Throughout nearly 20 months we went on a journey together as a Team from outsiders in South-East Asia to winning a match at a World Cup.

"There are too many highs to reflect on (including)…

• semi final of AFC Asian Cup
• 1st ever competitive bronze medal at SEA Games
• Winning the AFF in Manila
• Scoring our 1st goal and beating European opposition
• Record high FIFA rankings time after time

"…all of which were special and memorable and brought much deserved attention to the Team.

"But without question, the two best experiences of my coaching career thus far were the last two World Cup matches.

"Beating New Zealand on home soil and scoring our first World Cup goal and getting our first win was the things that dreams are made of.

"And despite the scoreline, the last match against Norway, where 34000 patrons attended, with 30000 singing for the Filipinas, brought shivers down our spine.
It showed that Football does belong in the Philippines, and that legacy is something we are all proud of.

"On behalf of Coach Nahuel and myself, we would like to thank all the Coaching staff for your hard work, dedication and commitment.

"To the players, I can only say, you were courageous, passionate, disciplined and loyal to the Team, the Flag and the Country. Your sacrifices should be long remembered by all Philippine Sports fans. To give hope and inspiration is the greatest of all achievements.

"I wish everyone a great future and look forward to following the next chapters in the story.”

In response, the PWNFT said, "We wish Coach Alen and Coach Naz the best of luck in their next football adventure, and we will forever be grateful to them for changing the landscape of Philippine football forever.

"They have they shown us what is possible with proper guidance, dedication and hard work, and their efforts have led to the greatest achievement in Philippine football thus far—a match won against the higher-ranked host nation at a World Cup. They will surely be our beloved heroes for decades to come," continued the statement.

"To Coach Alen and Coach Naz, it was an honor working with you. Win, lose or draw, the entirety of our experience with you will be nothing but a happy memory for all of us. We will never forget you and we hope that you will never forget us too."

Stajcic is a former coach of the Australian women’s team who was removed from his position just before the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. No official reason was given by Australian officials.

His hiring by the Philippines football federation in 2021 changed women's football in the Philippines forever by recruiting players of Filipino heritage from around the world (18 of the Filipinas were born in the United States). He  pit them against international competition to help develop their skills and raise their confidence.

The World Cup experience, Stajcic says, is the highpoint of his career and the culmination of hard work and dedication by the players and coaches.

“This team was ranked in the 60s and 70s [in the Fifa rankings] a few months ago, and was struggling to beat Nepal and Hong Kong in a playoff,” Stajcic said after beating New Zealand, a victory he called “staggering and miraculous and unbelievable”. “What the players have done is just mind-blowing,” he said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.

: Filipinas lose World Cup game vs Norway but future looks bright, next goal is qualifying for 2024 Olympics

SCREEN CAPTURE

Filipino fans flocked to the World Cup venues in New Zealand to cheer on the Filipinas.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Edited throughout for more clarity and details. - 2 p.m., July 30, 2023.

The final score was Norway 6, Philippines, 0, but the 23 Filipinas on the World Cup team have changed the sport of Philippines football. Soccer in the Philippines will never be the same.

The final score was not surprising as the 46th-ranked Filipinas were overmatched by the 12th-ranked Norway Grasshoppers, which was predicted to win the four-team Group A before the World Cup play began.

The 23 women on the Filipinas were playing on soccer's biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup, the first time a Philippines team -- men or women -- qualified. The  debutantes (a term used in soccer for first-time qualifiers) made history again by scoring a goal. They made another milestone by winning a game against favored New Zealand. The only one of the eight debutant teams to earn those accomplishments.

With their victory over the Philippines, Norway's Grasshoppers join Switzerland to move on to the Round of 16 in the World Cup tourney.

Although the Filipinas' scored only one victory at the World Cup, their story may be the biggest sports story in the Philippines this year.

Soccer, or as the rest of the world calls it "football," is not particularly popular in the Philippines. Basketball is the No. 1 sport, followed by boxing. Even volleyball is more popular. 

The nation's soccer advocates -- sponsors, coaches and players -- hope the Filipinas' historic run the World Cup is only the beginning and will help boost the sport's popularity in the Philippines.

TWITTER

Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, left, and Filipinas co-captain Hali Long console each other
after loss to Norway.

The impact of the women's historic run from can not be underestimated. The team could have the same impact in the Philippines as the US women's soccer team began winning games in the 1990s. The Philippines players want to inspire the Philippines' young girls and that legacy will move women’s soccer to the future.

When the Philippines upset co-host New Zealand last earlier this week, cheers went up in Manila shopping malls, the Internet went wild, #LabanFilipinas trended in social media and Filipinos scattered around the world began tuning in, waving flags and marching in the streets chanting "Fi-li-pi-nas! Fi-li-pi-nas!"

TV networks in the Philippines were caught flat-footed on World Game coverage but as audiences grew, they quickly made arrangements to broadcast the Filipinas' games.

FILIPINO HEART & SOUL

At the beginning of the current team's formation two years ago, complaints arose that there were too many "foreigners" on the team. Eighteen of the 23 Filipinas were born in the US, only one player was born in the Philippines. The international composition of the Filipinas was the result of an intensive search by Filipino American soccer fans and coaches.

Those critics were drowned out by the "Fi-li-pi-nas!" changes Sarina Bolden scored her header against New Zealand, the first historicPhilippine goal in World Cup play which turned out to be enough to score an upset. That win set up the game against Norway.

By the third game, Group A, dubbed the Chaos Group by broadcasters because all four teams -- including underdog Filipinas -- had a chance to move on to the next round.

By the end of the Norway game, the Filipinas' meteoric rise from an underdog team most football followers didn't know existed to not just playng in the World Cup but  showing their mettle against the world's best, was the stuff sports journalists love to write about. The mixed racial heritage of the players was forgotten as new fans joined the bandwagon.

“Honestly, can’t tell you where everyone was born and for me it’s irrelevant," manager Alan Stajcic told the Inquirer. "They all play for the Philippine) flag, they all play for the country and they all play for the people of the Philippines, wherever they reside,” 

“We’ve traveled the world last year, traversed the whole planet and the amount of fans we have across the world regardless of where, whether it’s Europe, Central America, South America, North America, Australia is just amazing to have, that support from the diaspora all around the world," he said at a media conference.

“So, I don’t really care. I just know that this team has Filipino heart and blood and courage and spirit and that’s only the criteria regardless of their birth,” added Stajcic.

Falling to 12-ranked Norway is no reason to be ashamed, says Stajcic.

"I'm proud of the heart and spirit of our team. They fought to the end, they fought to the death. And from that perspective, it's been an amazing World Cup," he said in a post-game media meet.

"The players have punched so far above their weight. They've delivered an amazing memory, and history to Philippines football, and one that will go down into the annals of Philippine sporting history."

The Filipinas acknowledge their fans after beating New Zealand.

Prior to the New Zealand game, Filipino fans marched through the streets of Wellington to the stadium. Dressed in bright colours, banging drums and singing, they made the venues sound like home games in Manila, cheering every Filipinas possession.

ARE THE OLYMPICS NEXT?

Laguna Beach-born goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was disappointed with the loss but admitted Norway was the better team -- this year. The national team will learn from this and get better, she insists.

"We're definitely going to try to get back here in the next four years. This is not the end for the Filipinas. There's a lot more in us. We (have]) a lot of tournaments this year so it's not the end. We're excited to keep going," said McDaniel, whose goaltending skills have attracted interest from pro-team scouts.

For a team that has played together for less than two years, with players moving in and out of the lineup, the international experience will only help them get better.

“Four years is a long time from now, but the process starts now and how we can get better, how can we grow from this, learn from this,” said Sarina Bolden, whose goal against New Zealand has made her one of the most recognizable stars to emerge from the Filipinas. “And I have no doubt in my mind that we’ll be able to be a better team for it.”

“I’m ready for the next World Cup,” said striker Bolden, who learned the sport while growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The players know that they are playing for the future of the sport, especially proviting inspiration for young girls. They know that thousands will see them and want to be them.

“I just want all the little girls in the Philippines to know that this is a dream that can be attainable. They can do this,” McDaniel said after the game, patiently answering reporters' questions.

Co-captain Hali Long, who grew up in Missouri, added: “The little girls I see waving and cheering, they deserve to be here. And I want them to know that it's possible for them.

“But we have to make it possible for them,” she continued. “Through investment, through funding.” And that, she knows, is the difficult part.

Long gave credit to prominent businessman Jefferson Cheng who helped fund the Filipinas the last couple of years.

“Jefferson Cheng and the PFF took a really big chance to give us anything and everything we could to prepare, to even qualify for the World Cup,” Long said. “And to bet on the unknown is a risk — in business, in life.”

But it’s a worthwhile risk, she argued. “It's the utmost honor to bring ‘Lupang Hinirang’ (the Filipino anthem) here, to bring the Philippine flag here for the first time,” she said. “And to be on the pitch to do that — definite highlight of my life."

“These players have really left their mark and left a legacy for future generations. I can't ask any more. They gave everything," said Stajcic.

For the immediate future, the Filipinas will focus on the Hangzhou Asian Games in September and in October, the second round of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament which they they are grouped with host nation Australia, Iran and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, in Long Beach, California, 11-year old Filipino American Avery Rivas watched all the Filipinas' World Cup games. "Watching them play makes me proud to be Filipina,"

She tells Spectrum News, "I would love to play for them if I get the opportunity."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.

Filipinas lose to Swiss but gain valuable experience in World Cup debut

The Philippines' goalkeeper (No. 1) just blocked two Swiss goal attempts when Seraina Piubel
 (No. 17) found the rebound and kicked in Switzerland's second goal.

It was not the Cinderella script that the Philippines Women's football team wanted. Instead, the Filipinas saw a reality show when they lost their first game, 0-2, at the FIFA World Cup games in New Zealand.

"Unfortunately, we got an unfortunate PK [penalty kick] and messed around in the box but I mean, things won't go our way sometimes and we just have to keep building off from that, learn from this time and get ready to go for the next one," the Filipinas' Olivia McDaniel told the Manila Times.

The seasoned team from Switzerland overwhelmed the scrappy and disciplined Filipinas, primarily made up of players born in the United States and one of the youngest teams at the World Games. It was the first time the Philippines, men or women, qualified for international football's premier tournament.

"There's no doubt they are the better team, and they should be," Philippines coach Alen Stajcic said after the match Thursday. "I was really proud of the spirit that our team showed. I think we showed that we can be competitive."

Switzerland had 17 goal attempts vs. 3 by the Filipinas. In the early going, the 46th-ranked Philippines team looked like they might be a match with the 20th-ranked Swiss even though the Europeans were bigger and used their size to their advantage in the one-on-one matchups.

In the 16th minute, it appeared like the Philippines scored with an attempt by Katrina Guillou, who was born in Washington D.C. Unfortunately, the goal was nullified by an offsides call. 

The near score seemed to wake up the Swiss offense as they began to dominate the game. Switzerland finally scored with a free kick on a controversial penalty with one minute to go in the first half.

If not for Philippines' goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, the score could have been more lopsided. Constantly under pressure, she blocked 15 Swiss attempts. Switzerland  scored a second goal in the second half in a tussle right in front of the Philippines goal. McDaniel, born in Laguna Beach, Calif. McDaniel blocked two consecutive goal attempts but a Swiss player Seraina Piubel kicked the rebound into the net.

"For us to compete against a team like (Switzerland) is miraculous, really," said Stajcic. "You saw true spirit, true heart, a team that never gave up, proud of their jersey, proud of the flag, proud of the people they represent, and I think that's the most important thing."

"To come to this level and play against players from Europe, against a team like that is miraculous."

The opposing manager had nothing but praise for the inexperienced Filipinas, who proved to be no easy pushover. “Yes, they were a very disciplined team. A big compliment — they’re a dangerous team, and I think that they presented themselves well and displayed sportsmanship,” said Inka Grings in German after the match.

“I’m excited to see how their next two games will play out. I think that every single player and the country should be very proud.”

With the win, Switzerland will next face Norway with a place in the next round of 16 at stake. Only the top two teams in each four-team groups will advance. Favored Norway was upset by New Zealand in the World Cup opener, 0-1.

The Philippines next World Cup match will be against co-host New Zealand on July 25. (Because New Zealand is a day ahead of the US, the game can be viewed in the US on July 24, 10:30 p.m. PDT on the FS1 Network.) In a friendly match on Sept. 22, 2022, the New Zealand beat the Filipinas 2-1. 

It was an emotional moment for the 23-member team and the thousands of Filipinos in the stands at in Forsyth Barr Stadium when Lupang Hinirang, was played  before the game as it was the Philippine national anthem was played at the FIFA World Cup.

McDaniel said she's struggled to rein in her emotions after hearing the Philippine national anthem played on the biggest football stage for the very first time.

"It was a whole mix of emotions in me," said McDaniel, who has moved to the Philippines. "We all felt it — we were buzzing and ready to go. I mean, the scoreline, it didn't go our way but we were ready to go," said McDaniel,

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.

HEALTH: Mamogram followups often take longer for Asian women

Asian/American women, particularly Filipinas and Vietnamese, often take twice as long than white women to receive follow-up exams after an abnormal screening mammogram. 

Many population-based breast cancer studies do not include Asians, and those that do often report them as a single group. 

To study the relationship between breast cancer screening and outcomes in multiple Asian populations, a team led by Drs. Kim Hanh Nguyen and Leah Karliner, both of the University of California, San Francisco examined information from the San Francisco Mammography Registry. 

The investigators examined data on 50,970 San Francisco-area women with mammogram results from 2000-2010 that indicated the need for further diagnostic imaging. Among Asian/American women, Vietnamese and Filipinas had the longest—and Japanese the shortest—median time to follow-up imaging tests (32, 28, and 19 days, respectively) compared with non-Hispanic White women (15 days).

The proportion of women receiving follow-up tests at 30 days was lower for Asians than for non-Hispanic Whites (57 percent versus 77 percent), and these disparities persisted at 60 and 90 days for all Asian ethnic groups except Japanese women. Asian women also had a higher rate of no follow-up at one year than non-Hispanic Whites (15 percent versus 10 percent), with Filipinas having the highest percentage of no follow-up among Asian ethnic groups (18 percent).

“The reasons for these long delays may be due to linguistic, cultural and other barriers that affect patient-provider communication for disadvantaged Asian groups,” said Dr. Nguyen. “More research attention is needed to understand the specific reasons for these differences.”

By 2060 the projected number of US residents who will identify as Asian or Asian with another race will reach 48.6 million, or 11.7 percent of the total population.

“Rather than being a monolithic group, Asians are, in fact, very diverse in nationalities, language, immigration history, education, and economic background. Recognizing differences among Asians may help clinicians develop better rapport and communication with their Asian patients, which can improve adherence to screening recommendations,” said Dr. Nguyen.

“The misconception of the model minority suggesting Asians are doing better than other minorities is insensitive to disparities that exist for Asians and undermines the need to address such disparities.”