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The original was posted on /r/aleague by /u/Master_Rock_6739 on 2024-11-11 12:30:53+00:00.

Can top professional football teams from emerging nations like the Philippines or India realistically compete with those from established football countries like Australia or Japan, or do they more closely align with semi-professional standards?

I’m a 20-year-old female footballer of Filipino descent, currently playing in Australia who’s main goal is to play for the Philippines women’s national team, or at least get a training camp invite . After winning the NPL 2 championship and moving up to NPL 1, I’m exploring options to turn pro to give myself a better chance. While I’d ideally aim for the A-League Women’s, its high competitiveness makes it a challenging goal at my current level. Given that I have Filipino citizenship, I wouldn’t take up a foreign player slot on a Philippine team, making it a more accessible step toward my first professional contract.

Recently, I watched a top Philippine club lose 4-0 to Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League, with three goals conceded in the first 10 minutes but a resilient second half without further goals. This result raises questions about the gap between emerging and established football nations. Would signing with a professional team in the Philippines serve as a realistic stepping stone to higher levels, or is this path less likely to help me progress?