Newcomer Emma Tovar is ready to share her experience playing in Spain to the national women’s football team that is bracing for a busy year ahead.
Tovar, a Filipino-American midfielder who plays for CF Valencia in Liga F in Spain, said playing against the likes of Spanish superstars Aitana Bonmatí of FC Barcelona and Olga Carmona of Real Madrid helped her develop her game that could help the Filipinas in various international tournaments like the ASEAN Women’s Championship, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this year.
The Filipinas had a nine-day training camp at the Mall of Asia Football Pitch from 17 to 26 February where 32 players joined with hopes of making it to the final roster.
“I do have experience playing at a very high level and I think that can benefit the team. I am a hard worker and it shows on and off the field,” said Tovar, whose mother hails from Tarlac.
“I think I can bring high intensity to the team.”
The Philippines is set to compete this April in the CFA International Women’s Football Tournament in Chongqing Yongchuan, China where they will face the host team, Thailand and Zambia in a friendly tournament.
More than flaunting her skills for the Filipinas, the 21-year-old Tovar also hopes to use this opportunity to reconnect with her family’s roots through the sport she loves.
“Playing with any national team is and it’s an honor and it’s a pleasure to be out here and to be able to call myself a national team player, especially for the Philippines just because I’m a very family-oriented person,” Tovar said.
“I think being able to represent my family in the best way I can, which is through football, that’s really important to me.”