Philippine women's football team (Courtesy of PFF)
MANILA – The Philippine women's football team has been drawn with a familiar opponent in New Zealand, alongside two European countries, after the group draws for the FIFA Women's World Cup held at the Aotea Center in downtown Auckland on Saturday.
The Filipinas and the Ferns are set for a rematch during the group stages in July next year as they are placed in Group A along with the teams of Norway and Switzerland.
The match will be held at Sky Stadium Wellington on July 26, 2023, as confirmed by the Philippine Football Federation.
Coach Alen Stajcic said he believes the Filipinas, first-time participants in the global event, would be competitive enough.
"We can keep improving from this point up until the World Cup, for the next 11 months. The sky is the limit," Stajcic said in a statement.
The Filipinas saw a glimpse of what the Ferns can do when the latter fought back in the second half to steal a 2-1 win in a friendly at the Titan Stadium in Fullerton, California on September 7.
The Filipinas will first battle the Swiss at Forsyth Barr Stadium Dunedin on July 21 and will cap their preliminary-round assignment against the World No. 12 Norwegians at Eden Park Auckland on July 30.
The top two teams from each of the groups will advance to the knockout stages. (PNA)
