The Philippine women's national football team has recorded another milestone.
The Filipinas are now part of the top 50 women's national football teams in the world. And the FIFA Women's World Cup hasn't even started yet.
The Philippine women's national football team on Friday recorded another stunning achievement after rising four spots to number 49 in the FIFA world rankings, the history-making squad's highest ranking yet.
"Another amazing milestone for the team on this journey to the World Cup," coach Alen Stajcic said in a statement. "Another record for the country and further objective confirmation that we are heading in the right direction."
The Filipinas made the jump after gaining valuable experience in the Pinatar Cup in Spain. They are now ninth in the Asian Football Confederation, moving past Uzbekistan and after North Korea dropped due to inactivity.
"The rise of the Filipinas shows that belief, professionalism, structure, organization and technical knowledge and commitment of players can lead us into the right direction," the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) said in a statement.
The PFF thanked Stajcic for his efforts, along with the support of team manager Jefferson Cheng.
"Most of all, we are grateful for our national team players who, time and again, have shown their love for our country by representing the Philippines with pride and honor each time they step into the pitch," the PFF added.
"Plenty of the work is done behind the scenes—at planning sessions, in camps, and days and hours before matches—and we thank those who have quietly sacrificed their time and effort to ensure that the team continues its progress."
Captain Tahnai Annis aptly described what it means for the Filipinas in her Instagram story.
Imagine the heights the Filipinas can soar towards when the FIFA Women's World Cup begins in July.