The Philippine women’s national futsal team will be tangled with a tough group after being drawn with Argentina, Morocco, and Poland during the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup draw ceremony on Monday night at the Bonifacio Global City Arts Center in Taguig.
Following its successful bid to host the first staging of the tournament, the Philippines is gearing up for yet another World Cup, its third in three years.
This time, futsal is taking centerstage with fbe Philippines set for a thrilling first-round affair against visiting Argentina, Morocco, and Poland in Group A slated from November 21 to December 7 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
With Victorias City no longer sharing the hosting duties with Pasig, Philsports Arena will become the sole venue of the tournament which features 16 teams or four groups of four.
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) recently announced the decision citing logistics as the reason for the change.
The tournament format, though, will be kept the same with the top two teams advancing to the knockout phase where the quarterfinal, semifinal, and a third-place play-off will ensue followed by the final round.
Second-ranked Spain is set to face Asian futsal powerhouse Thailand, Canada, and Colombia in Group B.
New Zealand, which was the first team to join host Philippines, clinched the inaugural OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup to qualify for the maiden staging of the tournament and will be joined by third-ranked Portugal, Tanzania, and AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup winner Japan in Group C.
Lastly, Group D will see world No. 1 and eight-time Women’s Futsal Copa América champion take on Italy, AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup bronze medalist IR Iran, and Panama.
Filipinas captain Hali Long together with Cignal’s Vanie Gandler graced the ceremony as draw assistants along with Croatian head coach Tihana Neme?i? and two-time FIFA Futsal World Cup winner Falcão of Brazil.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
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