GAME TODAY
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
7 p.m. – Philippines vs. Chinese-Taipei
AFTER an absence of three years and a huge treat for hometown fans, the Filipinas finally get to play in their first official home game in a friendly against Chinese-Taipei tonight at the newly-refurbished pitch of the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Both gearing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers at the end of the month, the charges of Marc Torcaso and the Taiwanese collide in what is expected to be a close and exciting match at 7 p.m., capping the PH women’s weeklong training camp that began last May 26.
The Philippines and Chinese-Taipei match comes nearly three years since the Filipinas played in the heritage-rich arena, the last one when they trounced Thailand 3-0 in the finals on July 17, 2022 to capture the Asean Women’s Championship trophy.
The last time the two sides met, the Philippines won 4-1 over Chinese-Taipei in Group A of the second round of the AFC Asian Women’s Olympic qualifiers held on Oct. 26, 2023 in Perth, Australia.
But Torcaso is aware that this isn’t the same side they tangled with 20 months ago, saying: “They (the Taiwanese) have been developing better and better like us. Theyhave played some tough teams in the past. They know we are a very tough team so they are here with us.
“This is a perfect preparation for both squads for the Asian Cup qualifiers.”
Both squads are not too far apart in the current FIFA women’s world rankings, with the Philippines at No. 41 and Chinese Taipei at No. 42.
Torcaso said among the aims of the training camp before the friendly were “to form a stronger team so we can perform better when we come up with a tough team that will challenge us in the Asian Cup qualifiers. Our expectation is for us to continue to build a playing style and get to a point where we are comfortable with it.
“We hope this camp will help us to become better defensively while also implementing our playing style.”
Missing in action for tonight’s game are strikers Meryll Serrano, Sarina Bolden and Katrina Guillou, who are all sidelined by injuries, according to Torcaso.
“Meryll, Sarina and Katrina are all injured, so their absence provides opportunities for players from the Under-20s to come into the camp. You’ll see a lot of young new players and new faces as well. This is a chance for them to be part of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers,” he said.
Among the newcomers are defender Julianna Barker, 22, midfielder Ava Villpando, 17, and striker Megan Murray, 19, who are all making their national team debut and hope to be part of the side that will be competing in Group G of the Women’s Asian Cup qualifying meet opening on June 29 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Nationals are gunning for the lone ticket in the group, which also includes Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and host Cambodia, for next year’s Asian Cup to be held in Australia, which will be the continental qualifying meet for the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be staged in Brazil in 2027.
The Filipinas are the best-ranked team in the group, with Hong Kong, Cambodia and Saudi Arabia ranked 80th, 118th and 166th, respectively.