![]() ![]() The centre-back’s strengths are good positional awareness coupled with a strong physique and she is fearless when it comes to mixing it with opposing strikers. Without a question the heart and soul of the Filipinas defence, the US-born co-captain is looking forward to adding to her record number of caps – 74 and counting at the time of writing – during the tournament. We don’t need someone to tell us … because we know.” Defenders You don’t need someone to tell you if you are, or you aren’t. The sister of fellow squad member, Chandler McDaniel, she responded to criticism of the team consisting of too many players living and playing abroad: “It makes me feel bad, especially for some of the girls … Some people haven’t been really accepting but I think when you’re Filipino, you’re Filipino. She is a tall, commanding presence and has worked hard on her fitness to become a lot quicker as well. □□□ #LabanFilipinas #ParaSaBayan #WinTheMoment #FilipinasTayo /Rk7ebRuGa1- Philippine WNT ⚽ June 23, 2023īut it is all in a day’s work for the BTS-loving Davies-McDaniel, who has been in goal for the national team on all the big occasions since her debut in 2021. We've got on the #FilipinasSpotlight today! □□ Her World Cup-berth-clinching heroics in the penalty shootout of the quarter-finals of the 2022 AFC Asian Cup – a penalty save, a penalty scored and another penalty save in succession against Chinese Taipei – are more than enough to write her name in Philippine football history. It’s about paving a pathway for the young generation and giving them more opportunities.” Her job on the pitch is far from over, however, as she tries to add to her 50-plus caps for her country, with her 18 clean sheets still an all-time team record. Playing for the senior team since 2009, the home-grown goalkeeper says her purpose now “has become so much bigger than just playing. Having your image immortalised on a credit card would be the pinnacle of many players’ careers but this veteran goalkeeper has already moved on to secure her legacy in other ways. I’ve learned so much from them and using that has been phenomenally helpful.” How did she end up in goal? “Basically I am not very fond of running,” she told MyBalitz. “Obviously I’m a lot younger than they are and just seeing their experience and the way that they play is amazing. “Training with seniors has been amazing,” she has said. Basketball runs in the family, with their late uncle Cesar Jota having played professionally in the Philippines, but it is football where Kaiya excels, and in the Filipinas the 17-year-old will have no shortage of mentors to help her improve. With older sister Asia blazing a trail for her younger sibling, it is now Kaiya’s turn to be in the spotlight as she embarks on the start of her journey for the national team. People asked what was wrong and I just said ‘I am so happy.’” “I sat down on the field and I just started crying. “The fact that we were able to hold them to a 0-0 draw in the first half showed that we are capable of really mixing with these teams.” It was an emotional day for Fontanilla, who had to take her dad back to the Philippines to get her citizenship as he had not been in the country for 40 years, and she explained: “When the game was over I literally couldn’t walk,” she told the Football Sack. The Matildas won 4-0 with Kerr getting two goals but Fontanilla would take away the positives. At the time she said she was “super excited, but also super nervous – this was against players I grew up watching”. The California-raised keeper made her international debut in the most daunting way possible – facing an Australia team with a certain Sam Kerr in it. You can also check out Philippines in-depth team guide Goalkeepers This guide was written by Ryan Fenix for GMA News Online. This article is part of a collaboration with the Guardian along with leading newspapers from each of the participating countries at the tournament. Here’s your lowdown on the Philippines’ squad for the Women’s World Cup 2023. ![]()
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