Filipinas brace vs Australia in AFC Women’s Asian Cup, eye second World Cup stint

The Philippine women’s national football team is in deep preparation ahead of its campaign in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, with another Women's World Cup berth on the line.

In the draw, the 41st-ranked Filipinas were tangled with host nation Australia, South Korea, and Iran in Group A as they eye one of the six allocated slots to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Fresh off its gold medal conquest at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December, Torcaso led the national team to a month-long training camp to determine the final lineup for the slated tournament in March.

“We had a long camp since February first, but they've all been on programs since the SEA Games as well. So, it's been really good to see them all come in really good shape and good fitness levels. But we pushed them a little bit more here,” Torcaso said during the Filipinas’ homecoming on Friday in Pasay City.

“There’s too many to name when I say who has been outstanding. All the girls have been excellent. And it's created a really big headache for us to pick the best 26 for this Asian Cup,” he added.

Three goalkeepers in Olivia McDaniel, Leah Bradley, and Nina Meollo were called up to the lineup. Mainstay defenders Angie Beard, Malea Cesar, Jessica Cowart, Janae DeFazio, Kaya Hawkinson, Sophie Wunsch, Ariana Markey along with captain Hali Long were also named in the roster.

Meanwhile, midfielders Jourdyn Curran, Sara Eggesvik, Carleigh Frilles, Jael-Marie Guy, Natalie Oca along with Isabella Pasion, Jaclyn Sawicki, and Ava Villapando were included in the list. Completing the lineup were forwards Alessandrea Carpio, Anicka Castañeda, Katrina Guillou, Chander McDaniel, Paige McSwigan, Alexa Pino, and Mallie Ramirez sans Sarina Bolden, who is still nursing a knee injury.

Back in October 2023, the Philippines took on Australia in the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament only a month into Torcaso’s mentorship, following Alen Stajcic’s departure at the end of their World Cup stint.

There, the Filipinas suffered an 8-0 thrashing at the hands of the world No. 15 Matildas.

This time, the Australian tactician is hoping his partnership with the Philippines over the past two years will bring in more favorable results against other football giants.

“From my perspective, my personal perspective, there's a lot of learnings since we played Australia last time, I think it was only my second, third game in charge after a very small Asian Games campaign,” Torcaso said.

“So, it was very overwhelming in that first tournament that we had but I think in the two years, two and a half years that now we've been in the role, not only me but the staff, I think we've learned so much about this team, about the country, about the people that we're ready to take on anyone and we'll do our absolute best,” he continued.

The Filipinas will open their campaign against the Matildas on March 1, then against Korea on March 5, before facing Iran three days later.

Click here to read article