PH to host SEA women's football tourney

The Philippine national women's football team.

By Drew Malihan

MANILA—The Philippines will once again cater another major football tournament as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) was awarded the right to host the 2020 AFF Women's Championship.

It will be the first time the PFF will host the said tournament, which was confirmed during the 4th ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Council meeting held on Friday in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“It is a great honor for PFF to host the upcoming AFF Women’s Championship 2020,” PFF President Mariano Araneta, Jr. said in a statement.

“Women’s football has been in the limelight due to the success of the Philippine Women’s National Team. This will be a perfect opportunity for local fans to watch and support the Philippine Women’s team as they fight for regional pride," he added.

Secretary General Atty. Edwin Gastanes also quipped on the rise of women's football in the Philippines.

“The Philippine Women’s National Team has been on a steady rise for several years already. We thank AFF for awarding PFF with the hosting of the tournament," Gastanes said.

The national women's football team, known as the Malditas, put on a great show during the most recent AFF Women's Championship held last Aug. 15-27 in Chonburi, Thailand.

The 69th-ranked Malditas reached the tournament's semifinals for the first time, eventually finishing in fourth place behind Myanmar, Thailand, and champions Vietnam.

The 11th installment of the tournament is also the second senior women's football competition the Philippines will host following the 30th Southeast Asian Games women's football tournament that will be held from Nov. 26-Dec. 10.

Follow him on Twitter: @drewmalihan