Matildas wary of Filipinas

Host Australia isn’t taking the Philippines lightly as they clash on Sunday in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup at Perth Stadium.

Matildas forward Hayley Raso said getting a win over the Filipinas in Group will be the key in setting the tone for their campaign as they gun for their second Asian Cup crown.

Also joining in Group A are South Korea and Iran.

“We kind of take it one game at a time. The first game that we have here against the Philippines is the most important at the moment,” Raso said on the team’s website.

“We know that all the games are going to be tough. We know that Korea is a tough opponent; we played against them last time out, so I think knowing what we have to do is always at the back of our mind. But most importantly, we’re looking at that first game.”

The last time both sides clashed was back in October 2023 when the Matildas crushed the Filipinas, 8-0, in the second round of the 2024 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in the same venue.

Australian defender Winonah Heatley said even with homecourt advantage, they can’t take the Philippines lightly, which is hoping to ride the momentum from its gold-medal finish in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December.

Ahead of the first game of the tournament against the Philippines on Sunday evening, she said the team would be focused on taking things one game at a time.

“Anything can happen… especially in tournament football,” Heatley said.

“We try and take it game by game, with the ultimate goal always in mind, but trying not to let it sit on your mind too much.”

With only the top two teams per group and the two best third place squads entering the quarterfinal, expect the Matildas to go all-out against the Filipinos.

Women’s Super League forwards Sam Kerr, Caitlin Jade Ford and Mary Fowler are expected to be the main scoring options for the Matildas.

World Cup veterans Hali Long, Olivia McDaniel, and Sara Eggesvik are also expected to step up for the Filipinas with star striker Sarina Bolden out of the list due to her anterior cruciate ligament injury.