The national women’s football team is set to see more action as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) plots another pocket tournament later this year.
PFF president Mariano Araneta said the Filipinas are likely to compete in a tri-nation tourney at home with Jamaica and Uzbekistan in November.
Araneta said both teams expressed their interest in playing in the country, which will help the lady booters’ buildup for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Ranked 51st in the world, the Jamaicans recently finished third in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship to earn a ticket in the world championships.
The FIFA No. 46 Uzbeks, meanwhile, just came off a championship run in the Central Asian Football Association just over a week ago, and also finished third in the Turkish Women’s Cup in February.
“We have to prepare our women’s team. Jamaica wants to play here and Uzbekistan also wants to play here so maybe a tri-nation tournament,” Araneta said.
“That’s what we’re planning. It will be in November.”
After their historic success in the AFF Women’s Championship early this month, numerous friendly matches have been lined up for the Filipinas.
The Nationals are scheduled to play against World Cup-bound teams in Costa Rica twice and host New Zealand before October.
Araneta also revealed the possibility of the Filipinas going to Dubai to face another top-tier African side.
Aside from that, the PFF will also be having a four-nation showpiece which might be called Independence Cup to further boost the Filipinas’ arsenal heading into the World Cup.
“Hopefully we can arrange for them to play in Dubai against an African team and New Zealand,” Araneta said.
“We want to have an Independence Cup (next year) to gain more interest for the World Cup.”