Philippines eye World Cup boost with prized Vietnam scalp at SEA Games

PHNOM PENH: The fast-improving Philippines are building up to their maiden FIFA Women's World Cup, but first, Southeast Asian glory is at stake and a must-win clash against Vietnam awaits on Tuesday (May 9).

The Vietnamese are reigning SEA Games champions and the only other team from the region going to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.

Ahead of the crunch encounter between the sides in the group stage of the SEA Games in Cambodia, Philippines coach Alen Stajcic admitted that Vietnam were the benchmark for his young team as they embark on a historic few months.

"Vietnam's been the best team in Southeast Asia, along with Thailand, for about 20 years now, 30 years," said the Australian.

"They're a good team, I actually love watching them play."

The Philippines are upsetting that duopoly.

It began at the Women's Asian Cup in early 2022, where they made the semi-finals, losing to continental giants South Korea but earning a historic first World Cup berth in the process.

They followed that up by taking bronze at the SEA Games a year ago in Vietnam, then won the regional AFF Women's Championship on home soil in a campaign that included a 4-0 semi-final win over Vietnam.

The Philippines are 49th in the FIFA rankings, the highest they have ever been.

Their rise has been driven in part by a push to recruit young players from the country's large diaspora, nurturing classy players such as goal threat Sarina Bolden and playmaker Quinley Quezada.

Their most recent XI - with an average age of just under 24 - was composed entirely of players born in North America.

Their opening match of the SEA Games ended in a 1-0 loss to Myanmar, but they beat Malaysia 1-0 on Saturday - a towering header from Bolden the last