Alen Stajcic had led Australia to the last eight of one FIFA Women’s World Cup and qualified them for a second when, to everyone’s surprise, he was sacked in January 2019. While the reasons behind that decision remain shrouded in mystery, it was always clear that Stajcic’s coaching ability was not among them.
It was seen as a major coup, therefore, when the Philippines – a team that had won nothing, and never qualified for a single major tournament – appointed the Aussie in October 2021. But while it also represented a bold statement of intent, the team’s subsequent achievements have surely exceeded the expectations of even the most ambitious federation official.
A first-ever trophy, won at last year’s AFF Championship, provided iron-clad evidence of Stajcic’s impact. Yet an even more important victory had been secured a few months earlier, when the Philippines qualified for a first-ever Women’s World Cup after beating Thailand and Indonesia and edging Chinese Taipei on penalties in the teams’ decisive AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final.
Far from resting on those breakthrough achievements, Stajcic has spent the time since travelling the world and building the experience of his youthful squad. “We played 26 or 27 A internationals last year,” the man himself recently told FIFA+. “I don’t know any other national team that’s played as many games as that or been together as long as we have.”
The Philippines remain one of this Women’s World Cup’s great underdogs. But with the draw having handed them a section devoid of giants, and their coach vowing that they are “coming to win”, don’t rule out these Asian debutantes continuing their meteoric rise.
Stajcic’s approach and tactics
Although he has utilised that vast number of friendlies to experiment with various alternatives, Stajcic has tended to favour a narrow 4-4-2 formation since taking charge. The experienced Aussie is nothing if not pragmatic, and against higher-quality, more experienced sides, there will be no attempt to dominate possession or press the opposition in their own 18-yard box.
Expect instead to see a Philippines team that seeks to make the most of counter-attacks and set piece opportunities, and which shows the evidence of their coach’s long hours on the training ground focusing on defensive shape.
Key player: Tahnai Annis
Sarina Bolden, the top markswoman at the AFF Women’s Championships and scorer of the penalty that took the Philippines to Australia & New Zealand, can consider herself unfortunate not to claim this particular title. But it is another of the Philippines’ US-born players – the Ohio-raised Annis – who is the more established standard-bearer within the team.
The midfielder’s status as captain reflects as much, and her ability to both create and score goals – often spectacularly – make her one of the team’s most exciting players. A naturally reserved character, Annis – who plays her club football in Iceland – has spoken of aiming to lead the team by example.
That example will once again be crucial as the Filipinas attempt to hold their own against the world’s best.
One to watch:
Isabella Flanigan
Another member of the team’s American-born contingent, Flanigan - who qualifies through her Filipina mother - is one of Stajcic’s great hopes for the future.
The striker, who is still just 18, was the youngest member of the triumphant AFC Asian Cup squad and has been involved throughout the team’s subsequent Women’s World Cup preparations. Though unlikely to start if her more senior colleagues are fit and on form, the Florida-based youngster has trickery and close control that will make her an effective impact substitute. (FIFA)In their first appearance at the global showpiece, Philippines will take on Switzerland today
