THREE crack forwards, all of them Southeast Asian Games veterans, will be back in action when the national team plunges into action in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup kicking off on Jan. 20 in India.
Strikers Sarina Isabel Bolden, Eva Madarang, and Queenley Mirelle Quezada will add offensive teeth to the Filipino booters under Australian coach Alen Stajcic when they kick off their campaign for a spot in next year’s FIFA Women World’s Cup in Group B at DY Patil Stadium Navi Mumbai on Jan. 21.
Coming off a two-month training camp and tryouts in Irvine, the Nationals will have 13 carryovers of the side that swept their qualifying competition against Nepal and Hong Kong with identical scores of 2-1 last September to advance to the continental women’s soccer showcase for the second straight time.
Back from that squad mentored by Marlon Maro are goalies Inna Palacios and Olivia McDaniel, defenders Tara Allison-Shelton, Hali Moriah Long, Kristen Ryley Bugay, Sofia Nicole Harrison, midfielders Malea Louise Cesar, Tahnai Lauren Annis, Kathleen Camille Rodriguez, Jessica Anne Miclat, Anicka Chabeli Castaneda, Sara Isobel Castaneda and forward Chandler Blue McDaniel.
Among the rookies are defenders Dominique Randle, Katrina Guillou, who plays for Swedish club Pitea IF; midfielder Keanne Micah Alamo and forward Carleigh Frilles.
Co-captains are Aniss and Long while completing the coaching staff are assistant coaches Nahuel Arrarte, Patrice Impelido, goalkeeing coach Ludovic Antunes and fitness coach Luca Tonetti.
Aside from Thailand, the Philippines is bracketed in the group together with pre-tournament favorite Australia, and Indonesia, with the top two finishers in the competition advancing to the knockout stage.
A total of six slots in the FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in January next year are at stake in the 12-team tournament, with Stajcic, a former national coach of the Matildas, optimistic that his charges can secure one of those tickets.
