In contrast to the first friendly game of Filipinas vs Fiji Women’s National Football Team when the teams played under the rain, the sun was out in its full splendour for their return match on April 11, at 3pm, held at the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Park in Blacktown.
Despite the hot sun beating down on them, both teams kept a lively pace on the field. Special kudos to the players who played for the whole duration of the game.
As usual, there was a good crowd from the Fil-Aus community which loudly cheered on Filipinas throughout the game. Although also feeling the warm temperature, the supporters' kept the cheering and chanting at a feverish pitch to the end.
The Filipinas match roster is shown below:
There were several missed chances to score from both teams, but the first half finished with the score of Fiji WNT 0 : Filipinas 4. This score was two goals down in comparison with the first half of the first match on April 8.
The second half was also dominated by ‘Filipinas’. However, to its credit, Fiji held Filipinas for a long time before the latter was able to score the 8
th goal. The supporters’ clamour and chant of “ocho-ocho”, with one of the supporters being volunteered to do the “ocho-ocho” dance got rewarded at the last moments of the match which was extended by injury time.
When Carleigh Fideles booted the 8
th goal, there was wild cheers from the grandstand and the volunteered dancer, Ella Ponce, did a brief “ocho-ocho” dance. The goal was the second one for Carleigh who was celebrating her 20
th birthday on the day and so she got a birthday song from the crowd at the end of the match.
Goals: Katrina Guilou 3; Carleigh Frilles 2; Sofia Harrison 1; Isabella Flanigan 1; Quinley Quezada 1.
The media cheerers from Radio Tagumpay were joined by Edinel Magtibay Dearden and David Joshua Reyes of SBS; also there were additional Fil-Aus community personalities watched on the day - Rey Manoto (Councillor of Campbelltown City Council), Tom Baena (Director of Club Blacktown), Rox Molavin and Tina Bangel joining Carol Israel (Councillor of Blacktown City Council) and the usual supporters from FILSPARC. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to meet Jefferson Cheng,
Filipinas Team Manager and part-owner of the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club; Belay Fernando and Nelan Casalmer and other Filipinas team staff. The warm hospitality of
Mama Lor Bakery and Restaurant which sponsored the snacks for the players and the staff was also appreciated.
There are three more games to be played by
Filipinas which would be against the Tonga WNFT. Arrangements are still being finalised for the games to be held on Friday, April 15; Monday, April 18 and Thursday, April 21. These will be held again at the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Park in Blacktown.
Let us continue showing solid support to our kababayans by either attending the game at the football park or joining the livestream.
There is a also a plan to hold a meet and greet of the
Filipinas players and management at the Club Blacktown. Arrangements are still being finalised, subject to the schedule of the team. Watch this space!!!
(Acknowledgements: Philippine Women's National Team
FB page for the flyers; Skip Tan, Filipinas Official Photograher/Fox Sports/UAAP Sports Photograher, for the photos).