The Philippine Women’s National Football Team swept Group E behind their total domination of Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Hong Kong.
The Filipinas netted 16 goals and finished the round with a clean sheet. That’s as perfect as it can be for the Philippine squad.
The level of difficulty, however, catapults in the next round and coach Alen Stajcic knows well that nothing comes on a silver platter.
“There’s no easy match in football, every match is different and difficult, and you have to respect your opponent,” Stajcic said.
Two rounds remain in the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament with 12 teams advancing in the second round. Four nations will reach the final round, and only two from Asia will step foot in the Olympics.
Stajcic is not looking far ahead as the Filipinas face tougher competition.
“We know we’re coming up against big nations now in the next round, Australia, Japan, China and the two Koreas, Thailand and Vietnam,” he said.
“It’s going to be very difficult for us and we need to be ready.”