Filipinas battle Australian U23

The Philippines eyes an outright berth to the ASEAN Women’s Championship semifinal when it clashes with the Australian U23 squad Sunday at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam.

Game time is at 8:30 p.m. (Manila time) as the repeat-seeking Filipinas look to pick up their second win of the tournament and make it to the knockout stages.

The Philippines is entering the match against the Matildas oozing with confidence after trashing Timor Leste, 7-0, last Thursday, with Quinley Quezada and Dionesa Tolentin leading the charge after scoring two goals each.

Meanwhile, the Matildas are coming off a shocking 1-2 loss to Myanmar and hope to bounce back at the expense of the Philippines.

While the Filipinas have the advantage entering this match, team captain Hali Long said they are not taking anyone lightly in their title defense.

“We don’t take any team lightly and we don’t know which way this group will go. There was a good game before us with Myanmar coming out on top, 2-1,” Long said.

“Looking forward to that game and seeing what kind of results we can pull off with the next two teams.”

The game against the Matildas will be more than just for the three points in Group B.

This match will also serve as a barometer for the Filipinas as head coach Mark Torcaso believes some of the U23 players will be called up for the senior squad.

“I’d anticipate that some of the girls who are in the U23 Australian team would probably be eligible or be available for the Asian Cup team in March. It’s a good gauge for them, but it’s also a really good gauge for us,” Torcaso said.

“I think we’ll have a younger team than the Australian team actually will. I’m really excited by that game because it’s going to showcase where we’re at and where our national team players are, particularly our youth players, and I’m really excited about it.”

Holly Furphy will be a marked woman on the pitch after scoring the Matildas’ lone goal in their loss against the Burmese.