Filipina5 end FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign, relish playing at home

The fighting Filipina booters left a lasting impression.

PFF

Matches Saturday

(PhilSports Arena)

12 p.m. – Tanzania vs Japan

2:30 p.m. – New Zealand vs Portugal

5 p.m. – Iran vs Italy

7:30 p.m. – Panama vs Brazil

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines wound up winless at FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup following a 1-5 loss to Argentina Thursday night but came out with lessons and positive things to build on moving forward.

“Para sa akin po, we did very well. Syempre last game, binuhos na namin lahat-lahat,” said Isabella Bandoja, who provided the Filipina5’s lone goal in their final bow of the prestigious tourney backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation.

“’Yung dugot’ pawis namin, ‘yung trinabaho simula nung training, nung magsimula ang WC and until last game, binuhos po namin talaga,” added Bandoja, who accounted for the country’s third goal at the global stage after Inday Tolentin and Cathrine Graversen three nights before.

Though the quarterfinal stage was already beyond reach after their opening setbacks to Poland (0-6) and Morocco (2-3), the Filipina5 entered the final game in Group A like it’s a championship gig.

The World No. 6 La Labiceleste unleashed five goals inside the first seven minutes but still, the hosts didn’t stop fighting and even went on to outscore the South American giants in the final half, 1-0.

And giving them extra energy and fire were the 2,811 supporters at the PhilSports Arena who tirelessly rallied them for the entire 40-minute clash with the South American power.

“Sobrang nakaka-excite, nakakataas ng balahibo, nakaka-hype 'yung dami naming suporta, parang buong Plipinas nga ‘yung pumunta, hindi lang ilan,” Bandoja of the roaring crowd that included Mayor Vico Sotto of host city Pasig, PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, their sisters from the 11-a-side Filipinas squad and the Gilas Pilipinas Women players and coaching staff.

The Filipina5 finished fourth in the bracket and made the exits alongside Poland (three points on one win, two losses), as topnotcher Argentina (nine points on three wins) and runner-up Morocco (six points after a 1-0 win over Poland) claimed the tickets to the knockout rounds.

Still, the fighting Filipina5 left a lasting impression, especially to the kids in the venue.

“Sana sa panonood nila, mas maging inspired pa sila, galingan pa nila lalo. Sana magrap sila nang mataas and mag-continue pa sila mangarap,” said Bandoja. (Pool story)