New all-time high 'objective confirmation' that Filipinas are on right track says Alen Stajcic

The Filipinas are still looking to go up after this "amazing milestone." PFF (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

ANTIPOLO—The Philippine women's football team achieved a new milestone on Friday as it moved up to number 49 in the world at the release of the latest FIFA rankings, a new all-time high and the first time ever the team made it to the Top 50.

According to head coach Alen Stajcic, the new achievement is an affirmation that the Filipinas are on the right track to becoming one of the teams to watch out for in the future ahead of its maiden appearance in the FIFA Women's World Cup.

"Another amazing milestone for the team on this journey to the World Cup. Another record for the country and further objective confirmation that we are heading in the right direction," Stajcic said in a statement on Friday night, hours after news broke out that the Filipinas have indeed made the huge jump.

[Related Story: Filipinas now inside Top 50 in FIFA rankings]

For its part, the Philippine Football Federation said that this "historic achievement" is the fruit of the stronger bond between the organization, Stajcic's coaching staff, and the players.

"The Philippine Football Federation is proud of the achievement of the Philippine Women’s National Team, which recorded its highest FIFA ranking of No. 49 earlier today. It is a historic achievement that underlines the importance of collaboration between the PFF, team management, and coaching staff, and the dedication, discipline, and sacrifice of the players. Indeed, the rise of the Filipinas shows that belief, professionalism, structure, organization and technical knowledge, and commitment of players can lead us in the right direction," the PFF said in a statement.

The PFF hopes that the Filipinas' latest rise in the FIFA rankings would inspire the next generation of athletes to strive more in their quest for glory.

"We hope that the rest of the country, especially the sporting youth, takes inspiration from the Filipinas and their achievements. These are exciting times and the PFF prays that the Filipino nation continues supporting the Filipinas at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July 2023," the organization concluded.

The Filipinas will play in the first round of the Olympic qualifiers this Holy Week in Tajikistan and the Southeast Asian Games beginning April 29 in Phnom Penh, which means a chance for them to possibly move up further in the world rankings for a morale booster ahead of the FIFA WWC itself in July.

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