Malditas look forward to tough challenge in AFF championships

File photo courtesy Belay Fernando

Despite facing tough opposition, the Philippine national women’s football team looks to surpass its dismal performance last year in the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship slated on September 13-22 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Malditas have been drawn alongside the 2010 titlists and last year’s third-placer Vietnam, 2011 finalist Myanmar, and Singapore in Group A. Meanwhile, defending champion Thailand have been bracketed with Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia in Group B.

Despite being grouped with strong teams, Malditas coach Ernie Nierras remains confident about the chances of the Philippines.

“Let’s go Malditas! Our goal is to top the group!” wrote Nierras on Twitter Sunday night.

Last year, the Malditas failed to get past the group stages after losing two matches and drawing one. Only top the two teams from each group advance to the semifinals of the tournament.

The Malditas, ranked 88th in the world, was recently invited to participate in the 2012 LA Viking Cup from November 21 to December 2 along with other national teams such as New Zealand, Haiti and Canada.

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