AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Hali Long paid tribute to all the persons who became part of the Philippine women’s football team from the time she became a member of the team seven years ago to now where the team just finished its 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup campaign.
Long was emotional when she faced members of the media at the mixed zone on Sunday where she looked back at her journey with the national team that began in 2016, registering 76 international matches for the Philippines.
Emotional run to Women's World Cup
Long’s stint with the national team wasn’t always rosy before things turned around for the Filipinas in 2022 when the team placed fourth in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, earning the team a spot in the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
Their World Cup campaign ended with a 6-0 loss to Norway, but Long said she is proud that the team has gone far, even winning a match against New Zealand last Thursday on the world stage.
Long thanked all her teammates and coaches – past and present – and made special mention of goalkeeper Inna Palacios, who is part of the Filipinas team in the World Cup as a reserve.
“Being with the program since 2016, there has been a lot of players, staff, everyone come through this team. I couldn’t have done it without Inna by my side. She is my best friend. She is my partner. She is my captain. My performance, everything I do is because of her. I wouldn’t be half the player I am right now if she didn’t teach me what it needs to be. A silent leader. To play with grace, respect. So I couldn’t do it without her, teaching me all of that.
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“All the stuff I’ve gotten from all my teammates from before. From Cam (Rodriguez), Patrice Impelido, Belay Fernando who is here, everyone, all of them. They all have a part of this. Marielle (Benitez), coach Let (Dimzon), Buda Bautista, they are all have been a part of this journey, they have been all been a part of my journey. It is really (hands) off to them. And everyone I don’t know off. It really is all for them… They mean everything to me. I play for them each and every second I can. I would do it time-and-time again,” said Long.
Long said it is an honor to represent the Philippines on the world stage, something that she cherishes each and every day. Long added she gets emotional everytime she sings the national anthem, and Sunday was no exception.
“Even going back to the SEA Games in 2017, 2019, with Cam-Rod, we always cry every national anthem. Every time Lupang Hinirang comes on, it just means so much because it’s just like you die for your country. It’s everything. It’s the pride and honor you have to represent your country anywhere, let alone the global stage, as an athlete, as an underdog, as a beauty queen, as a boxer, as a weightlifter, as a footballer. It’s an utmost honor to be able to bring Lupang Hinirang here, bring the Philippine flag here for the first time and to be able to be in the pitch to do that.
“Definite highlight of my life,” said Long.
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