Malditas battle Myanmar side in AFF opener

MANILA, Philippines — Coming off a confidence-boosting stint in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the Philippine Malditas look to carry over the momentum as they vie in the Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship beginning today in Palembang, Indonesia.

The Malditas, who came one win short of landing in the Top 5 of the Continental meet and catching the last bus to the Fifa Women’s World Cup, begin their quest for regional supremacy in the Group B opener against Myanmar at 4 p.m. at Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium (5 p.m. in Manila).

 The Filipinas also aim for a good result against Singapore, Vietnam, and host Indonesia in the succeeding days  to advance to the knockout stages.

“Last April, they made history as they came close to qualifying for the Fifa Women’s World Cup in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The hoped-for success that this team will achieve in this tournament should continue to inspire women’s football players in our country,” said Philippine Football Federation general secretary Edwin Gastanes.

Six veterans of the WAC in Inna Palacios, Patrice Impelido, Hail Long, Camille Rodriguez, Quinley Queada,  and Alesa Dolino are back, joining forces with US-based Eva Madarang, Hannah Parado, and Sofia Harrison for the Asean campaign. Coach Buda Bautista, who was shortlisted for AFC Coach of the Year in 2017 for steering the Malditas to qualification in the WAC, returns to call the shots for the Pinay booters.