Alen Stajcic gets early date with former team as Malditas, Matildas in 1 WAC group

The Malditas will get to face Australia early into the AFC Women's Asian Cup. AFC (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--In his first assignment as the new head coach of the Philippine women's football team, Alen Stajcic will face off against no less than his former team.

Stajcic and the rest of the Philippine team will get an early showdown with Australia in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup group stages following the draw on Thursday.

Both the team known as the Matildas and the team known as the Malditas have been drawn together in Group B alongside Thailand and Indonesia.

Under Stajcic's tutelage, Australia made it to two consecutive FIFA Women's World Cups in 2015 and 2019, and now this is his goal as well for the Malditas, who came just close to making the 2019 edition too.

The other results of the draw saw India, China, Chinese Taipei, and Iran grouped into Group A and defending champion Japan, South Korea, reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Vietnam, and SEA Games bronze medalist Myanmar in Group C.

The Malditas must make it to the Top 5 of the WAC next year to enter the FIFA WWC.

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