Futsal Faceoff up

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine futsal team is putting its best foot forward as it embarks on a “strategic and sustainable program” that should serve the country well in future international meets.

“We’re trying to build a long-term program,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Futsal head Kevin Goco during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

A newly-formed women’s team, known as the Pinays, will get the ball rolling with a two-game friendly against Guam, dubbed as “Pinay5 Futsal Faceoff,” on Oct. 15 and 16 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The futsal program comes on the heels of the success being enjoyed by the Philippine women’s football team and its historic entry into next year’s FIFA World Cup.

“This is the first step in a long journey,” added Goco, who was joined at the forum by Dutch coach Vic Hermans, a seasoned futsal technician who has served as head coach to six national teams.

“We will work on the men’s team as well but we’re starting with the women’s team first,” he said, adding that futsal will provide Filipinas who are into football another avenue to show their skills.

Hermans first visited the country in 2015 but was tapped to officially share his expertise with the Philippine futsal team only last March. He’s here now on a full-time basis.