By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) already announced that they are looking to extend the expiring contract of current Philippine women’s football team head coach Alen Stajcic.
During another session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, Ilonggo sportsman and PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta confirmed that the ultimate goal for them is to re-sign coach Stajcic by all means.
“We have to talk to coach Alen because of course, he has brought the team to where it is now. Whatever it takes for us to get him,” said Mr. Araneta.
Stajcic’s impact was quickly noticed by the whole country as the renowned Australian football tactician propelled the PH Malditas to its first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification.
Aside from the historic World Cup seat, Stajcic also led the Malditas to its first-ever AFC Asian Cup semifinals berth after taking down Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Indonesia in the elimination rounds.
“Our first objective is to secure the services of coach Alen and his team. May kasama siyang fitness coach, meron siyang analytics coach, assistant coach, at ‘yung sa video coach niya and on the ground coach. Meron din tayong mga local coaches na inassign doon para may transfer din ng technology,” said PFF general secretary Edwin Gastanes.
Before anything else, coach Stajcic still has some unfinished business to deal with and will seek to win against South Korea in the AFC Asian Cup semifinals to book a historic grand finals ticket.
It will not be an easy road to victory for the Filipinas as South Korea is fresh off a stunning win against Australia during the quarterfinals and has never been beaten in all of their four matches.
