Filipinas return home, face Chinese Taipei in key tune-up match before AFC Asian Cup

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The Philippine women’s football team hosts a 'very tough' Chinese Taipei squad in a crucial friendly ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers

MANILA, Philippines – After notching back-to-back road victories over the United Arab Emirates in the previous FIFA International Window last April, the Philippine women’s football team returns home to host Chinese Taipei in a friendly match on Tuesday, June 3, 7 pm, at the refurbished Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Both the Filipinas and Chinese Taipei have clashed twice recently, with the former coming out on top in both encounters — at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 and AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024.

Despite the Filipinas’ recent success over their opponents, Philippines head coach Mark Torcaso is wary of the threat Chinese Taipei, ranked 42nd in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking, poses.

“They’re a developing side like us and they’re getting better and better,” said the 44-year-old Torcaso, who admitted that they have followed the progression of Chinese Taipei in the last year and a half.

“They’ve played some tough opponents in the last couple of windows and we know they’re a very tough team, that’s why we chose them to be here and play us.”

Torcaso added that the friendly match against Chinese Taipei is the “perfect preparation” for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, which will be held on June 23.

It will also be the first official home game of the Filipinas in three years, the last being the title decider versus Thailand in the AFF Women’s Championship 2022.

The 41st-ranked Philippines, however, won’t be at full strength as veterans Sarina Bolden, Quinley Quezada, Katrina Guillou, Meryll Serrano, and Reina Bonta remain out for this international window due to injuries.

With a handful of players unavailable for the match against Chinese Taipei, Torcaso views the situation as a key moment for youth players and newcomers to step in and make their mark on the national team.

“You’ll see a lot of young new faces, there’s a couple of new players as well, but it’s a great opportunity for them to give themselves a chance to be part of the Asian Cup qualifiers.”

Juliana Barker, Megan Murray, and Ava Villapando are the three newcomers to the team, while Ivymae Perez rejoins the team after participating in the 32-player camp last February, when the Filipinas held a nine-day training camp at the newly opened MOA Football Pitch.

Villapando joins Gabrielle Baker and Lauren Villasin — both of whom received senior team call-up last year — as the only players from the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 squad in the current line-up.

“It’s important that we’ve got some good players here, but it’s also equally important that I’ll see our more experienced players that are currently injured get themselves ready to go for the Asian Cup qualifiers,” shared Torcaso.

Full squad list

Goalkeepers: Gabrielle Baker, Kiara Fontanilla, Olivia McDaniel, Inna Palacios

Defenders: Angela Beard, Malea Cesar, Jessika Cowart, Janae Defazio, Hali Long, Katana Norman, Lauren Villasin

Midfielders: Julianna Barker, Sara Eggesvik, Kaya Hawkinson, Isabella Pasion, Ivymae Perez, Camille Sahirul, Jaclyn Sawicki, Ava Villapando

Forwards: Alessandrea Carpio, Chandler McDaniel, Paige McSwigan, Megan Murray, Chayse Ying

– Rappler.com

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