KATRINA Guillou and Bella Flanigan, members of the Philippines team that played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, will soon play in another World Cup, this time in futsal, a smaller version of football played indoors.
Before the World Cup, however, the Philippine team will compete in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers to be played from January 11 to 19 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
READ Pinay5 rally around Vic Hermans ahead of Women's Futsal World Cup
The Philippine Football Federation unveiled the team, that included Guillou and Flanigan, on Tuesday following a coaching change during the holidays.
Spanish mentor Rafa Merino has been appointed as national team head coach following a change over the holidays by the Philippine Football Federation during which Vic Hermans was removed and transferred to the men’s team.
The previous squad named Pinay5, with team manager Daniel Moran at the helm, has also started its training at the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation in Muntinlupa. Moran, however, has asked the PFF not to remove Hermans from the women’s team.
His request has not been acted upon.
PFF president John Gutierrez declined to take any questions with regards to the futsal team except for its participation in the Asian Cup qualifiers, saying he will respond after the competition.
“I’d like to be very clear. Let’s make sure that we keep our eyes on the ball. For those of you in the media who are itching for a story, I promise you. I promise everyone. When the girls come back from Uzbekistan, I will personally give each and every one of you a sitdown, one-on-one, and will answer any questions you might have with regards to anything. In other words, please behave,” said Gutierrez.
The team that the PFF has named is set to leave for Tashkent on Tuesday night. The competition is the first of two that will determine which team will qualify for the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.
The Philippines is an automatic qualifier being the host country. The event will be held from November 21 to December 7.
The PFF, however, is using the tournament as part of the preparation for the Futsal World Cup.
“Some would say that the AFC qualifying is a non-bearing tournament for us, having already secured the slot in the World Cup. However, we would also like to make our mark in the AFC championships. We would like to be able to show the world that we belong and we are a top Asian futsal team,” said Gutierrez.
The Philippines is in Group C along with Australia, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The top two teams in each of the four groups and the best third-placer will advance to the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup to be held from in China from May 7 to 18.
The top three teams in the Asian Cup advances to the FIFA Women’s Futsal Wolrd Cup.
Full roster
Joininhg Guillou and Flanigan in the team are Sheen Borres, Shelah Mae Cadag, Sara Castaneda, Judy Connolly, Alisha Del Campo, Catherine Graversen, Samantha Hughes, Rocelle Mendano, Vrendelle Nuera, Regine Rebosora, Kayla Santiago, and Dionesa Tolentin.
The team members were selected during a talent identification camp from December 26 to 30 in Manila. Training started last January 2.
“I am honored to be appointed as the new head coach of the Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team,” said Merino, a UEFA Pro License (Level 3) and an FA Level 1 in Football England.
Merino has also managed first-division futsal clubs in the past such as Pescados Ruben Burela FS, and Esportiu Rubi FS of Barcelona.
“I look forward to working with these players to build a competitive, unified squad ready to excel in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. We are focused on achieving success in the upcoming tournament,” Merino added.
From football to futsal for Guillou
Guillou looks forward to playing futsal along with the chance at competing in the world stage again in the Futsal World Cup, if she is picked in the final roster in that tournament.
“Plenty of excitement really,” said Guillou, one of the stalwarts of the Filipinas women's football national team. “I think the girls have been great allowing me to come in and they've been teaching me a lot and just being a part of a new group. I think it's great and we're all looking forward to the upcoming games.”
The 31-year-old Guillou said there is no major adjustment from playing from football to futsal, as she has once played the indoor and smaller version of the sport during the winter.
“I played when I was younger and growing up. It's very common, especially with the winters that we get,” said Guillou, who was born in Washington D.C. “So there's a lot of indoor and futsal matches going on. So I'm pretty familiar with it. And when I knew there was this opportunity, I was kind of buzzing about it. So it was great. Everything worked out."
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