McDaniel sisters bask in glory after clinching historic World Cup berth together
MANILA, Philippines — Being able to achieve a milestone in your life as an athlete is one thing, but to be able to reach it with your family playing by your side is another.
And for sisters Chandler and Olivia McDaniel, being together with the Philippine women's national football team as they reached the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup made it all the more special.
Both having played huge roles for the Filipina booters in the Women's Asian Cup in India, the sisters shared the delight of being able to create history together.
"Being able to go through this experience with [Olivia] has made it so much better. It just makes it so much easier because there have been so many times when it gets super hard and you start to look down. And I know no matter what, I have Olivia by my side," Chandler said.
"I definitely couldn't have made it through this tournament without her and I know for a fact she could say the same thing. I think it's just really nice to know that no matter what, you have someone in your corner," she added.
Chandler found the back of the net in the Filipinas' first game in the Women's Asian Cup against Thailand, which would be the catalyst for a historical outing in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Olivia, came up huge for the team against Chinese Taipei with three penalty saves and a made PK herself to send the Philippines to the World Cup.
The older McDaniel mirrored her sister's sentiments and shared how being with Chandler, and the other girls as well, helped her push on.
"It was huge, especially having my sister. But all the girs here, we've grown so strongly together, our bonds have been so strong," Olivia said.
"I think having someone to have your back to know what you're going through has been so important and someone to rely on has really helped me to keep going," she added.
The McDaniel sisters are expected to be mainstays of the team as the FIFA Women's World Cup looms.
Both players made their national team debuts just in the qualifiers of the Women's Asian Cup last year.
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