ANG pinakamahuhusay na manlalaro sa mundo at ang pinaka-masigasig na mga tagahanga ay tunay na nag-enjoy sa tinawag ni FIFA president Gianni Infantino na isang “fantastic” na pagsasagawa ng inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup sa Pilipinas.
Personal na dumalo si Infantino sa opening night upang masaksihan ang kasaysayan at humanga sa electrifying na atmosphere na naging regular na tanawin sa PhilSports Arena sa bawat match day simula noon.
“It’s the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup number one – the first, the first! Now the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth might be bigger, might be whatever you want, but the first is here, it is now. We are writing history and to do it here in such a welcoming beautiful country is something really special for FIFA, for the Philippines, for all these girls who are playing,” ani Infantino.
“Just fantastic,” dagdag pa niya.
Pinuri ng FIFA chief ang mga pangunahing nagtaguyod ng hosting ng bansa, na pinangungunahan ng Philippine Sports Commission at Philippine Football Federation.
“I think it’s about time that a big country like the Philippines, who is known all over the world for being such a welcoming country, is hosting a big FIFA event,” aniya.
“To host the first one of what will be a competition that will grow immensely all over the world is something which is even more special. So, I’m really proud and really happy of what the Philippines have done here,” dagdag pa niya.
Naging plataporma rin ang 16-nation competition para sa mga kalahok upang gumawa ng kanilang sariling kasaysayan.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Office of the President, and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Pato Gregorio for their unwavering support in making the hosting of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup possible,” ani Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez.
“Their commitment and investment allowed the Philippines to showcase world-class hospitality and deliver an event that celebrates excellence, inclusivity, and the growth of the sport. This milestone for Philippine football would not have been achievable without their trust and partnership,” dagdag ni Gutierrez.
Nakuha ng hosts Filipina5 ang kanilang unang goal sa pamamagitan ni Inday Tolentin, at sinundan ito ng pangalawa mula kay Cathrine Graversen, sa kanilang 2-3 pagkatalo sa Morocco sa Group A action. Si Isabella Bandoja naman ang kumamada ng ikatlong goal sa kanilang 1-5 na talo sa Argentina.
Nabaling na ang labanan para sa global supremacy sa apat na powerhouse teams. Ang World No. 1 Brazil at No. 2 Spain ay nakatakdang maglaban para sa tiket sa finals noong Biyernes ng gabi, habang sina No. 3 Portugal at No. 6 Argentina ang magtatapatan para sa isa pang slot. (PSC MCO/HNT)
HATAW! D'yaryo ng Bayan hatawtabloid.com