Filipinas is currently undergoing their first training in New Zealand in preparation for their debut in the Fifa Women’s World Cup. Despite being the underdogs in their group, co-captain Tahnai Annis is determined to make the most of their opportunities, no matter how small they may be. Annis acknowledges that any World Cup game can be anyone’s biggest game, and that any team can show up and beat another team on any given day.
However, oddsmakers and pundits predict that Filipinas will not come out of Group A, which includes Switzerland, co-host New Zealand, and Norway. The Philippines has been given +240 odds to win the World Cup by Fanduel, an online sports betting site in the United States. Additionally, online observers expect the team to lose all three of their group stage assignments. A preview by FoxSports.com states that “getting out of the group would be like winning the World Cup” for the Filipinas, emphasizing their lack of experience in the tournament as a significant disadvantage.
Nevertheless, Annis remains optimistic and acknowledges the talent and experience of their opponents. She emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation in order to perform their best when their time comes. Annis also highlights the team’s familiarity with each other, having trained together for 18 months, as a key factor in their ability to make a good impression against some of the world’s top women’s football nations. The Filipinas have a mix of experienced and new players, as well as a combination of youth and older talent.
The team is eagerly awaiting the start of their World Cup campaign, and they will have a chance to experience tournament-like play in a closed-door training match against Sweden. Their first official match will be against Switzerland, followed by a match against co-host New Zealand, and a final match against Norway. Despite the challenges they face, the Filipinas are determined to leave a mark in the tournament and prove themselves on the world stage.