Malditas tap UEFA coach for journey to 2019 World Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Frenchman Rabah Benlarbi has been tasked to coach the Philippines as it continues to pursue its dreams of a historic Women’s World Cup stint.

Benlarbi, a UEFA A coaching license holder who served as assistant coach for the Chinese squad from 2015-16, will be responsible for whippingup the Pinay booters to form as they compete in the WW C-qualifying AFC Women’s Asian Cup next month in Jordan. He will be assisted by Joyce Landagan and Steven Joseph Hoffman.

“The road to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 begins with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018,” said Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta. “With coach Rabah’s guidance and leadership, we hope that the Philippine women’s team clinch a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.”

Phl has made it to the Women’s Asian Cup for the first time under the qualifying format and they feel good about their chances going up against host Jordan, eight-time winner China and Asean rival Thailand in Group A.

The Pinay booters need to reach the cross-over semis or at least finish fifth best overall to make it to the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

“We can’t say it’s an easy group but we’re in a better group than the other group,” Araneta said, referring to Group B which has defending champion Japan, top-ranked Australia, Korea Republic and Vietnam.

To prepare for this mission, the nationals have undergone extensive training in the US and are currently in camp at the PFF’s National Training Pitch at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. Next up will be a weeklong camp in Japan next week before vying in Asia’s showpiece tournament beginning April 6.