AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Philippines coach Alen Stajcic confirmed reports that the team did play the US in an unofficial match as part of the build-up for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup.
American media outfits, including ESPN, spilled the beans about a closed-door match between the US, eyeing a third straight Women’s World Cup title, against the Philippines during their preparation.
See Norway-based Eggesvik, Serrano hope Filipinas can sustain fine run
On Saturday, Stajcic made mention of the USA match to drive a point during the pre-match press conference where their main focus is to win the game that is in front of them.
That will be Norway on Sunday where stakes are high. A win will give the Filipinas a historic berth in the knockout stage.
But he says the approach is the same with every game.
“We don’t really care who they are playing against. We’ve had players play here. We played a friendly game against USA just before the tournament. It’s irrelevant. We played against Australia [during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup] and it was my home country. But it doesn’t matter. It’s irrelevant,” said Stajcic.
“We treat the game the same. I don’t care if we are playing Norway. I don’t care if we are playing America. I don’t care if we are playing Myanmar or Hong Kong. We’ve got so many different challenges the last 18 months. Every single game is the same preparation. It’s not really relevant whether we are playing or life or death tomorrow or Norway or anyone or we need to win or we need to draw. We go out and win every game,” said Stajcic.
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