Filipinas' Annis assumes coaching role with U17 squad in Women’s Asian Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinas skipper Tahnai Annis is taking on an unfamiliar role with the national team as she stepped up to be on Sinisa Cohadzic’s coaching staff for the Filipinas U17 headed for Bali, Indonesia, for the 2024 AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup beginning next week.

Annis, a veteran of the seniors team, is helping Cohadzic prepare the young Filipinas in gunning for a U17 Women’s World Cup slot in their debut appearance in the tournament.

During the team’s send-off at Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite on Sunday, Annis spoke about taking on the assignment as she continues to actively play for the Filipinas.

“My role within the team right now is kind of wherever is needed. But definitely coming in as a mentorship role for the girls, especially going into an Asian Cup, where they can possibly qualify for the World Cup,” said Annis. 

“[M]y experience and having done that several times now, I think I can definitely be here as a resource for them. Whether that's mental, physical, tactical, anything,” she added.

Among the team’s stalwarts for years now, Annis was part of the World Cup team that competed in the Philippines’ maiden appearance in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand last year. There, they won the country’s first World Cup match against the hosts, 1-0.

With the U17s also facing host nation Indonesia in their opening match of the tournament last Monday, Annis was able to provide invaluable advice for the young players.

“Yeah, I've actually touched on this a little bit with the girls. But honestly, all I can tell them is to just enjoy that moment and be so excited for it, it can be a little, you know, nerve wracking to have the home team play against you in your first match,” she said. 

“But like I said, in my experience, it's always been the best experience to play against the home team, because even if, you know, all the fans in the stadium aren't there for you. It's still just like such a cool environment and, and such an honor to, you know, even be playing at that level. So I'm just telling them to embrace that moment and enjoy it.”
The Filipinas U17 are facing an uphill climb, though, in order to qualify for the World Cup, as they are grouped with Indonesia, South Korea and North Korea. They will need to finish in the Top 2 of their group to qualify for the quarterfinals. World Cup slots will be given to the semifinalists in the tournament.

However, Annis is a firm believer in what the young guns can do wonders, not just in this tournament, but in their future competitions and until they reach the seniors level.

“Truly so excited. Their talent level is through the roof, especially at such a young age,” she said. 

“And I’m just really excited for them and hope that you know anything that myself and that any other senior players that are playing at this level that we can offer them help and support and, you know, get them linked to the senior team as well.”

The Indonesia-bound Filipina booters include a handful of youth players who have also seen action with the seniors squad, including South Carolina commit Alexa Pino, and Niña Mathelus.