RECOGNIZING her versatility and what she can bring to the team, former FEU and UAAP varsity standout Dionesa Tolentin was named among the 26 players for the Filipinas set to see action in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group G qualifying tourney kicking off this Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Already a mainstay of the Filipina5, the PH women’s futsal team, the 24-year-old striker from Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte, will be part of the squad that will also mark the return of Women’s World Cup veterans Quinley Quezada, Sofia Harrison-Wunsch and Merryl Serrano.
“We are confident in every player in our pool and we are excited by the 26 that will battle it out for us to get to the Asian Cup,” said Australian coach Marc Torcaso of the side that will aim to top the group and book its ticket to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.
“I believe it’s a well-balanced squad and provides quality in every area of the pitch. It’s also great to see some of our strong young players who have progressed and developed over the years join some of our World Cup superstars,” added Torcaso.
Also named to the PH side are goalies Olivia McDaniel, Gabrielle Baker, Nina Meollo and Inna Palacios, defenders Angela Beard, Malea Cesar, Rhea Chan, Jessika Cowart, Janae Defazio, skipper Hali Long, Katana Norman; midfielders Sara Eggesvik, Kaya Hawkinson, Charisa Lemoran, Isabella Pasion, Jacklyn Sawicki and Ava Villapando; forwards Carleigh Frilles, Nina Mathelus, Chandler McDaniel and Chayse Ying.
At No. 41, the Filipinas have the highest FIFA women’s world rating among the members of the group that also includes Hong Kong (No. 80), Cambodia (No. 118), and Saudi Arabia (No. 165), with the group topnotcher advancing to the continental women’s football showcase serving as the qualifying meet for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Nationals, who aim to make their return trip to the World Cup after their historic debut in the competition in New Zealand two years ago, begin their campaign at the 50,000-seat National Olympic Stadium in the Cambodian capital on Sunday against Saudi Arabia.
They face the hosts on July 2 before wrapping up their stint on July 5, which will give them a month to rest, recover and prepare for their title-retention bid in the Asean Women’s Championship, renamed the MISG Serenity Cup, from Aug. 6 to 19 in the Vietnamese cities of Phu To and Haiphong.
