Malditas out to test mettle of host squad

NAY PYI TAW – The Philippine women’s football team kicks off its campaign against Myanmar today, raring to showcase its skills and talent against the region’s best in the 27th Southeast Asian Games at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium in Mandalay.

The Malditas also gained an added boost on the eve of the tournament as Indonesia withdrew, leaving the Philippines, Myanmar and reigning champion Vietnam in Group A.

Earlier, Timor Leste also pulled out of the tournament due to lack of players with Thailand, Laos and Malaysia left to clash in Group B.

A late inclusion in the national delegation, the Malditas primed up for the SEAG with stints in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifying tourney and the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship early this year.

“There’s really no excuse for us not to be competitive against the best teams in the tournament,” said Malditas’ coach Ernie Nierras.

The Malditas will next face fancied Vietnam on Friday.