A MIX of FIFA Women’s World Cup (WC) veterans and young guns carries the fight as the Filipinas hunt for a milestone at the Asian Games (Asiad) in Japan.
Olivia McDaniel, Hali Long, Angie Beard, Sofia Wunsch, Reina Bonta, Jaclyn Sawicki, Katrina Guillou and Carleigh Frilles — part of the group that made history at the 2023 WC in New Zealand — provide the experience for the 23-strong side with an average age of 23.
Mallie Ramirez, Alex Carpio, and Megan Murray return from the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) winning bunch to help the squad try to reach greater heights after its quarterfinal showing on its Asiad debut in Hangzhou.
Goalkeeper Gaby Rourke, a standout from the University of South Florida, and former U17 defender Aiselyn Sia headline the greenhorns alongside Jourdyn Curran, Tea Pidding, Azumi Oka, Natalie Collins, Skye Leach, and Camryn Penn.
The Filipinas compete in Group G, kicking their bid off against Uzbekistan on Sept. 14 at the Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium before facing Hong Kong on Sept. 17 and China on Sept. 21 in the same venue.
“We want to advance as a group. We want to go as far as we can in this competition. We want to enjoy success,” said coach Mark Torcaso, whose charges battle Asia’s best on the heels of their historic SEAG title run and qualification to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
“It’s as important as the Southeast Asian Games (where) we won gold. Our opportunity to win a medal or to go as far as possible is a reality here as well.” — Olmin Leyba