The Philippine national women’s football team will lean on a blend of seasoned internationals and rising young talents after naming a 23-player roster for the women’s football tournament of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Team captain Hali Long and FIFA Women’s World Cup veterans Olivia McDaniel, Jaclyn Sawicki, Sofia Wunsch, Katrina Guillou, Carleigh Frilles, Angie Beard and Reina Bonta will lead the Filipinas’ Asiad campaign along with senior team regulars Isabella Pasion, Kaya Hawkinson and Inday Tolentin.

Goalkeeper Gaby Rourke of the University of South Florida and former U-17 defender Aiselyn Sia will inject youth into the squad, along with Nina Meollo.

Completing the roster are members of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games gold medal-winning team, including Mallie Ramirez, Alex Carpio and Megan Murray, as well as relative newcomers Jourdyn Curran, Tea Pidding, Azumi Oka, Natalie Collins, Skye Leach and Camryn Penn.

Head coach Mark Torcaso said the Asian Games will serve as one of the team’s major tests as it continues its preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

“In this Asian Games, we have a few players unavailable as it’s outside of the FIFA window, and we will use this opportunity to continue to test our young players and give opportunities to players to announce themselves on the national stage,” Torcaso said.

“We want to give a chance for every player to be an option for next year’s World Cup. We will use this Asian Games as one of these options.”

The squad will have little room for error after being drawn in Group G alongside regional heavyweight China, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong.

The women’s football competition is scheduled from 14 September to 2 October, giving the Filipinas an early start to their Nagoya campaign.

After reaching the quarterfinals in their Asian Games debut in Hangzhou, China, the Filipinas return with greater expectations and the belief that another breakthrough is within reach.