Filipinas looking to turn heads anew

The Philippines is on high alert as it aims for one of the top two spots in Group A in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso said despite the challenge host Australia, South Korea and Iran can impose, they need to watch out for their flaws and movements in their quest for a slot in the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The Philippines is battling the Australians at Perth Stadium at press time.

“We know what’s at stake. We just have to focus on us, and that’s what we’ll do in this tournament — we’ll focus on what we need to do,” Torcaso said.

“We’re disciplined, we’re pretty intelligent, we’ll be compact, we’ll be passionate.”

After the match against the Matildas, the Filipinas will take on South Korea on Thursday at 1 p.m. (Manila time) at the Robina Stadium in Robina, Australia before taking on the Iranians on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the same venue.

Torcaso, who was appointed as head coach in 2023 to replace Alen Stajcic, said he wants the girls to fight until the final whistle as each result would dictate their fate in the Asian Cup.

“I think already people are thinking about us as a team that knows how to fight to the death. Coming off a really good tournament at the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games was pretty important for us,” Torcaso said.

“Getting some good momentum and getting the girls playing in a good competition format was special, but it was also really good preparation for this tournament. The girls are excited, we’re excited, and we just can’t wait to get out here and represent the country proudly.”

The Philippines needs to at least get out of the group stages to vie for a chance at a World Cup slot.

Should they reach the semifinal once again like they did in the 2022 Asian Cup in India, the Filipinas will earn back-to-back slots for the biggest women’s football tournament in the world.

They will be the first Filipino squad to reach back-to-back World Cups in any capacity.