Torcaso thrilled over Stajcic’s return as U17 consultant

Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso welcomed the return of former national team mentor Alen Stajcic, saying his appointment as consultant for the women’s U17 squad could further strengthen the Philippines’ football program.

Stajcic, who coached the Filipinas before Torcaso took over in 2023, will serve as consultant for the U17 team in the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Torcaso said Stajcic’s experience in identifying young talent could benefit the senior national team as it continues to build toward the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

“Coach Alen has a really good track record in identifying good players. If he can identify players for the future of our national team, our senior national team, then that’s exactly what we want,” Torcaso said.

“Having a good leader like that with the U17 is fantastic.”

The Filipinas are set to face Peru in a pair of friendlies on 9 and 13 October as part of their preparations for next year’s World Cup.

With the biggest tournament in women’s football looming, Torcaso said the Philippines needs everyone working toward the same goal of developing the sport and producing more players for the national team.

“We just keep trying to build football in this country. It’s not about who is better as a coach, who has done more or who has done less. It’s not about that,” Torcaso said.

“It’s about trying to make the game here in the country as good as possible. If that is Coach Alen at the youth level and myself at the senior level, then that’s what it is.”