Sydney Pagador of U18 Girls Red ’97 and the Phillipines National Team Prepare for the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship

Posted On September 10, 2013 by PUSC

Sydney Pagador

Sydney Pagador, and her Phillipines National teammates, have been hard at work preparing for the Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship which begins tomorrow in Myanmar.  The team has been training and playing friendly matches in preparation. Reached via email, Sydney is having an unbelievable experience and looks forward to the tournament.  “It has been so much fun!” said Sydney. “ I have been playing right back in a 3-6-1 formation and I have learned a lot since I have arrived. We are all very excited to begin the tournament!”

The Phillipine Malditas, despite a rookie-laden roster, look forward to reaching the semifinals of the Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship late this month. “This team may be young, but I believe it is stronger compared to the team that saw action in the AFF women’s tourney last year,” said head coach Ernie Nierras.

The Malditas, assured of competing in the Southeast Asian Games this December, have been grouped with Japan’s Under-23 side, Indonesia, Laos and host Myanmar.  The team is leaving tomorrow for Yangon, Myanmar (fka Burma) for the big event: ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship. Games are from Sep. 9 to the 23rd. The Philippines is grouped with Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Japan U-23 (wow!). Winner of this group will battle against the winner of the other group composed of Vietnam, Thailand, Jordan, Australia U-19. The roster is full of U-19 girls.

Nierras said the Malditas had a good draw up until the powerhouse Japanese were included in the group, where only the top two teams will clinch semifinal seats. But the coach added he expects his side to beat Indonesia and Laos with the duel against Myanmar serving as the key to their semifinal hopes.

The other group is made up of Australia, Malaysia, Jordan and Vietnam.

The PH booters open their campaign  against Indonesia on Sept. 10.