Tough grind ahead for Filipinas

The national women’s football team braces for a tough February campaign as it prepares for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Perth from 1 to 21 March.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president John Gutierrez said the Filipinas will have a three-week camp in Manila as well as a friendly match against Bangladesh to make sure they will be ready to take on the likes of South Korea, Iran and host Australia in Group A.

Gutierrez even said they will have friendly games against two professional clubs in Australia as part of their final preparations.

“They will have a three-week camp in Manila and we invited Bangladesh for a tune-up game. On 23 February, they will fly to Perth and will go up against two professional clubs,” Gutierrez said.

“The girls will arrive on 30 January and are expected to be complete by 1 February.”

Morale is high for the Filipinas after winning the country’s first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal last December.

Expected to suit up for the Filipinas are veterans Hali Long, Olivia and Chandler McDaniel, Sofia Harrison-Wunch, Angie Beard, Jacklyn Sawicki, Katrina Guillou and Sara Eggesvik.

It remains to be seen whether or not star striker Sarina Bolden will be able to make a full recovery from her anterior cruciate ligament injury last year and make it to the Asian Cup.