| Pinay booters off to AFC Women’s Cup |
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| Wednesday, 19 March 2008 | |
 By Bong Pedralvez philippinefootball.org MANILA - WHILE most Filipinos are still resting during the Holy Week break, the national women’s football team leaves tomorrow, Good Friday, to compete in the second round of the Asian Women’s Cup starting March 24 in Nakhon Ratchashima, Thailand. The Pinay booters go up against South Korea, Malaysia and host Thailand, as they bid for one of two slots to the Asian Women’s Cup proper in the short single-round tournament. “We don’t expect any miracles. But this doesn’t mean we won’t be out there fighting. Definitely, this won’t be a vacation for the girls,” said head coach Hans Smit, whose charges were formed barely a month before the event. Because most had to fulfill their UAAP varsity commitments and with some of the players coming from overseas, the squad virtually had to undergo a crash course in preparing for the competition, Smit said. “This is no excuse but the reality we have to deal with.,” added the multi-titled La Salle mentor, whose last international coaching stint was with the RP squad that saw action in the 2004 Asian Under-19 tournament in China. Although majority are newcomers, Smit retained its veteran core, including strikers Edna Agravante and Fil-Am Angie Impelido, midfielders Natasha Alquiros, Merlou Albano, Marielle Benitez, Samantha Nierras and defender Josephine Luto. Among the overseas reinforcements is lanky Filipino-Canadian defender Mallory Dayot, who was a member of the RP squad that beat Hong Kong in the first round in October 2007. The nationals have their work cut out for them right away as they tackle Asian soccer powerhouse South Korea on March 24, followed by host Thailand on March 26, before winding up their campaign against Malaysia on March 28. “We hope to limit South Korea’s goals to a minimum and hopefully launch some counterattacks of our own. The same with the Thais. I believe we can beat Malaysia,” said Smit of their overall game plan. Site of the tournament is the sprawling His Majesty the King’s 80th Anniversary Football Stadium, venue of the 2007 Southeast Asian Games soccer competitions, three hours away from the Thai capital of Bangkok. R.P. Women's National Team GOALKEEPERS Melissa Marquez, Jeanet Mercado. DEFENDERS Natasha Alquiros, Marigen Arielle, Mallory Dayot, Josephine Luto, Ruchell Latap, Stephanie Pheasant. MIDFIELDERS Merlo Albano, Marielle Benitez, Pauline Cuenca, Alicia dela Pena, Rachelle delos Reyes, Leia Flameno, Patrice Impelido Bertha Lina, Maria Claris Lazaro, Dori Mendaza, Samantha Nierras, Desiree Saligao. FORWARDS Edna Agravante, Chantal Esperanza, Angeline Impelido. Officials: Ernie Nierras, team manager; Hans Smit, head coach; Joel Villarino, Merlie Acibar, John Dilip Dinglasan, assistant coaches. |
