KAIYA Jota clarified it was a total mix-up when Fifa.com listed her as the tallest player in the entire 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup.
“I don’t know how that happened,” said Jota. “I am not 6-foot-3. I’m 5-foot-10. I’m still the tallest player on this team but I’m definitely not the tallest player in the World Cup. I don’t know how that mix-up got there. But it’s kinda funny.”
Jota may not be the tallest, but she is definitely the youngest player in the Filipinas who made it to the final 23.
The 17-year-old Jota is one of the three goalkeepers of the Filipinas during their campaign in the World Cup. Although she didn’t play a single game, Jota said just being part of the team will definitely make her a better player.
“It’s amazing. This experience, that is something that I never thought that I would be able to do,” said Jota. “I’m 17 years old and I went to a World Cup.”
READ: Get to know Kaiya Jota and the rest of the Filipinas' 23-woman lineup in World Cup
Jota is also one of the newer players of the Philippine women’s national football team, receiving a call-up last October. She will only play college in 2024 after she committed to play for Stanford.
Aside from Jota, other teenagers in the team who made the trip to New Zealand are Malea Cesar (19), Bella Flanigan (18), and reserve Bella Pasion (16).
Jota said she felt honored to learn from Filipinas mainstays Olivia McDaniel and Kiara Fontanilla in the build-up to the World Cup as well as during the tournament proper.
“I think the one thing that I learned from both of them is just learning from their experience. Obviously, I’m a lot younger than they are. Every single time that I get to see them play and train with them, I learn from them. I just think learning from all the experience with all the games they’ve played,” said Jota.
McDaniel played in all three matches for the Filipinas including in that historic win over New Zealand where she kept a clean sheet following Sarina Bolden’s first half goal.
“It was amazing,” said Jota, when asked about witnessing McDaniel in action. “She is an incredible goalkeeper. I’m grateful for every practice that I get to learn from her. She played amazing in all the practices and in the three matches. I learn from her everyday.”
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