Philippines Women's Team Coach: Last Year, We Beat Vietnam 4-0

SEA Games 32

Sunday, May 7, 2023 06:02 (GMT+7)
06:02 5/7/2023

Sharing after the hard-fought victory over Malaysia on the evening of May 6, head coach Alen Stajcic of the Philippine women's team is confident ahead of the final match against Vietnam at the 32nd SEA Games.

Philippines women's team coach Alen Stajcic is still very confident despite his players not performing well. Photo: Bao Ngoc.

“It was a tough game. However, the players showed a fighting spirit and never gave up. Sarina Bolden’s goal was fantastic, it helped us achieve the three points,” said coach Alen Stajcic.

The Philippine women's team had to wait until the 90+6 minute to score the winning goal, 1-0, after a stalemate and wasted chances throughout the match. The captain of the Azkals women's team denied that the team's attack had any problems, despite only scoring 1 goal in 2 matches.

“I don’t see any problem. Every team has good days and bad days,” Stajcic said.

The Philippines must beat Vietnam in the final round to have any hope of advancing to the semi-finals. Coach Stajcic's opponents have scored 6 goals in 2 matches, losing only once.

“We have to win the next match. The Vietnamese women's team is leading the group, the winner of the 31st SEA Games gold medal, the best team in Southeast Asia at the moment, so everything will be very difficult. Vietnam has a core of many generations of players ranging from 23 to 30 years old, the common point is that they all have technical qualities, I really like watching them play. Vietnam will also participate in the Women's World Cup this year," Mr. Stajcic answered Zing 's question.

The Philippines women's team lost to Myanmar in the first round and narrowly won against Malaysia in the second round of Group A of the 32nd SEA Games women's football. Photo: Bao Ngoc.

The captain of "The Azkals" strongly responded to the opinion of coach Mai Duc Chung, the upcoming opponent in the final round of group A, about the Philippines' squad this year not being as strong as before.

“I have a lot of respect for my opponents. However, in football, anything can happen. The last time we faced each other in the AFF Women's Cup (2022), the Philippines won 4-0 against Vietnam. Don't compare us to the fact that we only scored 1 goal in 2 matches. Let's wait and see,” said the Australian coach.

The Vietnamese women's team is leading the group with 6 points, the Philippines is second with 3 points, and Myanmar is third with a lower goal difference. The final match between Vietnam and the Philippines will take place at 4:00 p.m. on May 9.

Highlights of Vietnam women's team 3-1 Myanmar On the afternoon of May 6, goals from Huynh Nhu, Thanh Nha and Thuy Trang helped coach Mai Duc Chung and his team win all 3 points in the second match of Group A of women's football at the 32nd SEA Games.

philippines aff cup vietnam women's football sea games 32 alen stajcic