ALEN STAJCIC, the Australian coach who steered the Filipinas to history in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WC), is back to serve Philippine football.
This time, Mr. Stajcic is mentoring the younger ones as they compete at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers next month in Uzbekistan.
Mr. Stajcic assumes the helm for the U17s three years after his fruitful 2021-23 stint with the women’s senior side marked by a number of milestones topped off by a massive 1-0 upset of host New Zealand in its WC debut and a breakthrough Asean title at home.
“He has come to help us. His heart has always been for us,” U17 team manager Selu Lozano said of Mr. Stajcic, who left the Filipinas at the end of the last WC to coach Perth Glory in the A-League.
The Philippines hopes he would weave his magic touch again as the U17 lady booters seek their place in next year’s continental meet in China, where tickets to the 2027 FIFA U17 Women’s Cup to be held in Morocco will be up for grabs.
Mr. Stajcic’s charges will face host Uzbekistan on Oct. 5 and Bangladesh on Oct. 11 in the Qualifiers in Tashkent, aiming to finish topnotcher of Group H to advance to the final tournament slated March 31 to April 17, 2027 in Suzhou.
Making up his squad are goalkeepers Keleila Brannan, Abigail Garcia and Cassandra Lim-it; midfielders Aryanna Capsa, Savannah Cheng, Lily Finney, Athena Katsaros, Khloe Rivera, Ashtyn Shelton and Audrey Alviar; defenders Mia Bartlett, Maya Bascara, Ella Chua, Hana Quon, Addison Subala, Carlene Dy and Amiya Randall; and forwards Sachiko Davis, Ariana Enderes, Ariana Gementiza, Malia Montoya, Lauren Tiangco, Anaiah Sotto and Angelica Esser. — Olmin Leyba