Malditas prime up for FIFA World Cup qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine women’s football team primes up for its “Malditas015” mission, the lady booters’ ambitious bid to make it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup two years from now in Canada.

The Malditas begin the first stage of this quest when they compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup group qualifiers May 21-25 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Pinay booters seek to rule Group B against Iran, Thailand, and host Bangladesh to advance to next year’s Women’s Asian Cup final rounds, where the top five finishers will eventually book tickets to the Canada Women’s World Cup.

“Malditas015 is now a reality. We are six games away from making it to Canada 2015. Three games in the AFC qualifiers and 3 during the 2014 AFC finals!” said coach Ernie Nierras.

“(We’ll) Take it one game at a time, one half at a time, one attacking play at a time, one high press at a time, one V at a time, one minute at a time,” he added.

The Malditas get back to camp beginning this week with twice-a-day sessions at Turf BCG and other venues as final preparation for the Dhaka qualifiers.

Nierras has named 26 players for the pool. Skipper Marielle Benitez, Heather Cooke, Samantha Nierras and Isabelle Fernando are joined by Fil-Ams Maria dela Cruz,  Cat Barnekow, Sarah Cook, Maria Shipe, Morgan Brown, Patrice Empledio, Marisa Park, Monika Lee, Rachel Nichols, Raylene Larot, Camille Wilson, Megan Jurado, Katherine Lim, Joana Houplin, Jesse Shugg, Shelby Salvacion, Jo Ellen de Leon and Chalise Baysa. Rounding up the roster are local-based Inna Palacios, Natasha Alquiros, Aisa Mondero and Christina delos Reyes.