Newly-installed head coach Rafa Merino believes the success of the Philippine team would depend on whether it would come out aggressive as they face Kuwait to kick off the Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers at the Yunusobod Sports Complex on Saturday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

“It will depend also a little on the rival team and also on the confidence we have to go to press or not,” Merino said.

“I do like the team to be aggressive both in high blocks and low blocks. And always have the intention to steal or generate errors on the opponents’ attack.”

Gametime is at 9 p.m. (Manila time).

The squad boasts a Filipinas core of Sheen Borres, Shelah Mae Cadag, Sara Castañeda, Judy Connolly, Alisha del Campo, Isabella Flanigan, Cathrine Graversen, Katrina Guillou, Samantha Hughes, Rocelle Mendaño, Vrendelle Nuera, Regine Rebosora, Kayla Santiago and Dionesa Tolentin.

Only Del Campo, Santiago, Hughes, Nuera and Graversen were part of the futsal squad that competed in the ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship last November at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

Only the top two teams per group and best third-placed team will advance to the Women’s Futsal Asian Cup in China from 7 to 18 May.

This competition will serve as a qualifier for the upcoming FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines from 21 November to 7 December.

Apart from the Philippines and Kuwait, host Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Australia are also in Group C.