Stajcic aiming to close experience gap for Filipina World Cup underdogs

SYDNEY : Philippines coach Alen Stajcic will take his inexperienced squad into the Women's World Cup hoping a year-and-a-half spent exposing his players to the rigours of the international scene will ensure his team are competitive in their tournament debut.

The Filipinas will make history when they become the first outfit from their country - male or female - to appear at the finals of a global football event as they take to the field against Switzerland in Dunedin, New Zealand, on July 21.

In a nation better known for its prowess in the boxing ring or on the basketball court, the Australian has had to address a knowledge gap within his squad but Stajcic is confident his players will be ready when proceedings begin later this month.

"We traversed the globe last year and played 30 internationals, and this year we've already played nine," former Australia coach Stajcic told Reuters of his team's preparations.

"We have tried to give them experience of European teams, of South American teams, Central American teams, teams from Oceania as well from our own confederation in Asia.

"I've tried to give them that broad perspective, with different football styles, learning how to travel, learning how to professionalise your life on and off the pitch to ensure that you're good to go when you actually play.

"We've added all those bits in and now there's obviously fine tuning, but we've put in a lot of work over a long period of time, all the staff and players together."

The Philippines' qualification came as a surprise for a nation that has never been close to claiming a World Cup berth, with their spot secured when Stajcic steered the team to the semi-finals of the Women's Asian Cup last January.

The majority of the squad come from the