PFF Women's League returns ahead of World Cup preparations
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will return with its women's league this year after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is in preparation for the 2023 FIFA World Cup where the Philippines qualified for the first time.
Aiming to give homegrown players matches outside of the national team, the Women's League will be making a comeback.
"The pandemic stopped it for two years, but this year with the Alert Level 2, then we can have again the women's league for the local players — those based in Manila and local provinces. And we are now finalizing the regulations on that," said PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes in a press conference on Sunday.
Philippine women's national football team head coach Alen Stajcic stressed the need for full-time football action for members of the national team for them to be able to compete with powerhouse teams come the world cup.
"That's the only thing that can make us even remotely close to the standard of the other teams," said Stajcic.
"The 32 teams teams that go to the World Cup, I'd say more than 20 would have full-time rosters, if not more, if not all of them," he added.
The Aussie coach said that getting real matches under their belt on a regular basis will prepare his wards for a stage as big as the world cup.
"If you're going with part-time players, or semi professional players, playing at that level, in front of big crowds and that much pressure, and fatigue, and all the things that happen in a major tournament, it's going to be really tough," he said.
Awaiting the official date of the PFF Women's League, also on the slate of the national team players are three big tournaments in the build up to next year's world cup in Australia.
The Philippines will be competing in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in May, the AFF Women's Championship in July, and the Asian Games in September.
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