The Philippine Malditas received a favorable draw for next year’s Asian Women’s Cup in Amman, Jordan, a tournament which serves as a qualifier for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
Bracketed in Group A alongside China, host Jordan and Thailand during Saturday’s draw, the Malditas not only avoided matches against some of Asian’s premier teams but also a decent chance at qualifying for the prestigious tournament.
Defending champion Japan, South Korea, Australia and Vietnam composed Group B.
The top two teams in each group not only advance to the semifinals but also qualify to the World Cup, while the two third placers faced off in a match to determine the fifth and final berth to the prestigious competition.
The Malditas reached the Asian Cup after placing second in Group A of the qualifiers held earlier this year in Tajikistan. Their qualification also earned Malditas coach Buda Bautista nomination for Women’s Coach of the Year.
