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Tag: Philippine women’s national football

  • Jackie Sawicki embraces first AFC Women’s Asian Cup as Filipinas chase another World Cup bid

    Jackie Sawicki embraces first AFC Women’s Asian Cup as Filipinas chase another World Cup bid

    A new tournament cycle often signals change—but for the Philippine women’s national football team, it also brings renewed belief.

     

    Fresh from one of the most successful stretches in program history, the Filipinas now turn their focus toward the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, where another opportunity to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup awaits.

     

    This campaign carries a different tone compared to previous runs. Instead of entering as underdogs searching for a breakthrough, the Filipinas arrive with momentum, confidence, and a roster blending experienced leaders with emerging talent.

     

    Head coach Mark Torcaso has assembled a lineup that reflects both continuity and transition—an approach that has energized first-time Asian Cup participant Jackie Sawicki.

     

    “It’s kind of crazy that we’re ending this four-year cycle again and we’re getting another opportunity for a World Cup so it’s super exciting,” Sawicki told media at the sidelines of the Filipinas homecoming at Mall of Asia Sky last Friday, February 20.

     

    “We’ve got a lot of young energy in this squad and, we’re gonna use the gold medal as momentum heading into it.”

     

    That gold medal—won at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games—helped reinforce the team’s evolving identity, proving the Filipinas can balance development with results.

     

     

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    Since their historic rise in recent years, the Filipinas have gradually expanded their tactical depth and squad rotation, allowing new players to gain experience while veterans maintain the team’s competitive backbone.

     

    Sawicki emphasized how each tournament has become part of a longer development process.

     

    “Yeah, I think the previous [one], I wasn’t in the last Asian Cup, so I can’t speak to their tournament, specifically, but given all the other campaigns we’ve done in between, every time, we’re working on something new and working on something from the last time,” Sawicki said.

     

    “So I think we’re just gonna continue improving.”

     

    The current 26-player roster reflects that evolution. Returning leaders include team captain Hali Long alongside experienced internationals Angie Beard, Olivia McDaniel, Sara Eggesvik, and Katrina Guillou.

     

    Meanwhile, rising names such as Mallie Ramirez, Alexa Pino, and Jael Marie Guy—standouts from the SEA Games campaign—add youthful pace and attacking versatility.

     

    The Filipinas face a demanding group stage, taking on host nation Australia women’s national soccer team, regional powerhouse South Korea women’s national football team, and Iran women’s national football team.

     

    Their opening match comes against the Australians at Perth Stadium on March 1—a test that will immediately measure how far the squad has progressed since its last continental campaign.

     

    The odds may be steep, but the Filipinas are no longer chasing history blindly. They are building it—step by step, tournament by tournament—with another World Cup dream now firmly within reach.

     

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  • “To another level higher”: Mark Torcaso lifts Filipinas’ intensity ahead of AFC Cup

    “To another level higher”: Mark Torcaso lifts Filipinas’ intensity ahead of AFC Cup

    The Philippine women’s national football team, popularly known as the Filipinas, is preparing for its next major international challenge—the prestigious Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup in Perth, Australia. Coming off a historic campaign at the Southeast Asian Games, where the team captured widespread attention for its skill, resilience, and tactical discipline, the Filipinas are eager to build on that momentum and further establish themselves as a competitive force on the continental stage.

     

    The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has confirmed that the team will undertake a three-week training program, designed to refine their tactical cohesion, enhance fitness levels, and test themselves against high-quality opposition. The training will span multiple venues, starting with sessions at the Mall of Asia Sky Pitch in Manila from February 1 to 5, followed by the Rizal Memorial Stadium from February 17 to 22. In between, the squad will conduct a closed camp at Balesin Island in Quezon from February 6 to 15. Balesin boasts a FIFA-certified pitch and world-class facilities, providing an ideal environment for high-level preparation and recovery.

     

    During their time in Manila and Balesin, the Filipinas will face a combination of international competition and professional club sides, giving the coaching staff opportunities to test tactical variations and evaluate players under match-like conditions. This approach is aimed at ensuring the squad arrives in Australia fully prepared, both mentally and physically, for the rigors of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

     

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    Head coach Mark Torcaso expressed optimism about the team’s preparation and highlighted the importance of raising standards after the SEA Games. He recently announced a 26-woman training pool, which includes seasoned veterans such as Hali Long, Sara Eggesvik, and Olivia McDaniel, alongside promising young talents eager to make an impact.

    “The players understand that we are obviously going to a competition that is much tougher than the SEA Games. So now it’s about lifting our intensity, our quality, our fitness levels, our speed to be of another level higher than that and obviously to achieve the opportunity to go to another World Cup,” Torcaso said in a media interaction.

     

    However, the Filipinas will be without the country’s all-time highest goalscorer, Sarina Bolden, in the training pool for now. Bolden is currently recovering from an injury, and while she has made significant progress, the coaching staff is taking a cautious approach to ensure she has enough time to regain full fitness.

     

    “We are going to give her every single chance to be part of it. We aim to get her on the field. She’s got a very special presence in our team all the time,” Torcaso added.

     

    The rigorous training program is designed to balance intensity with recovery, ensuring that the players remain sharp while avoiding burnout. With world-class facilities at Balesin Island and careful management of workloads, the Filipinas will have the perfect environment to prepare for one of Asia’s most competitive tournaments.

     

    After completing their camps in Manila and Balesin, the team will fly to Perth, Australia, where they will compete against some of the continent’s top national teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The tournament represents both a test and an opportunity: a chance to measure themselves against Asia’s elite and to further stake the Philippines’ claim as an emerging football nation in the region.

     

    With the combination of experienced leaders, rising stars, and a structured preparation plan, the Filipinas are determined to build on their SEA Games success and make a strong showing at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Fans and supporters will be watching closely as the team embarks on this next chapter in its journey, aiming to inspire a new generation of footballers across the country.

     

     

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  • Filipinas set for training camp, international friendlies ahead of AFC Women’s Asian Cup

    Filipinas set for training camp, international friendlies ahead of AFC Women’s Asian Cup

    The Philippine women’s national football team, popularly known as the Filipinas, is gearing up for its next major international assignment—the prestigious Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup in Perth, Australia. After a historic performance in the SEA Games, the team is looking to build on its momentum and further solidify its position on the continental stage.

     

    Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio and Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president John Gutierrez recently held a joint press conference to outline the team’s preparations. The officials confirmed that the Filipinas will embark on a three-week training camp in Manila and Balesin Island before traveling to Australia, where they will face international competition and professional club sides to fine-tune their game.

     

    “They will have a three-week camp in Manila and we invited Bangladesh for a tune-up game. On 23 February, they will fly to Perth and will go up against two professional clubs. The girls will arrive on 30 January and are expected to be complete by 1 February,” Gutierrez said.

     

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    The training camp will not only focus on rigorous on-field drills but also provide the athletes with the opportunity to recover and recharge after their SEA Games success. The PFF has arranged for the team to train in Balesin, which boasts a FIFA-certified pitch—an ideal environment for high-level preparation.

    “They have a very good league in Australia so these friendlies with two first-division teams will help the team in its preparation. Merong FIFA-certified field sa Balesin Island. Now we get to reward the girls for some rest and recreation after their win in the SEA Games and we totally seclude them in the island to prepare for the AFC,” Gutierrez added.

     

    This approach highlights a blend of discipline and careful recovery. By giving the players both quality training and structured downtime, the PFF hopes the Filipinas will enter the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in peak physical and mental condition. Facing professional clubs in Australia is expected to expose the team to different playing styles and tactical challenges, providing invaluable experience ahead of the tournament.

     

    Beyond preparing the current national team, the PFF and PSC are also focused on long-term development for women’s football in the country. The PFF plans to increase the number of football fields nationwide through grants provided by FIFA, the AFC, and the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), totaling approximately $3.7 million. These investments are expected to improve grassroots development, give young athletes better access to training facilities, and ensure the continued growth of women’s football in the Philippines.

     

    “We are now closely coordinating with DepEd and all state universities and colleges. They have thousands of hectares of land but they do not have the funds to develop sports facilities,” Gregorio stated.

     

    Gregorio also assured that the PSC would assist in identifying suitable sites to serve as new football fields and training centers. By working closely with educational institutions, the PSC and PFF aim to create a sustainable pipeline of talent that can benefit the national team for years to come.

     

    With the Filipinas set to begin their training camp at the end of January, the eyes of Philippine football fans will be on Balesin and eventually Perth, as the team strives to translate its recent SEA Games success into strong showings on the continental stage. The combination of elite training, international friendlies, and enhanced infrastructure development signals a renewed commitment to raising the standard of women’s football in the country.

     

     

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