TO keep the Filipinas from being idle, the Philippine Football Federation has arranged a pair of international friendly matches for the national women’s squad against South Korea on April 5 and 8 at the Icheon Sports Complex in Icheon, South Korea.
Australian coach Mark Torcaso has called up 29 players in a blend of new and familiar faces for the Nationals, who last saw action in February during the four-nation Pinatar Cup in Murcia, Spain, according to the post on the Filipinas’ official Facebook page over the weekend.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, skipper-midfielder Tahnai Annis, defender Hali Long and striker Sarina Bolden lead a core of FIFA Women’s World Cup veterans who have been tapped to see action in both matches.
Backing McDaniel at the net are fellow veteran Inna Palacios plus Gabrielle Baker and Nino Meollo, 19, who plays for the Ipswich Town Football Club in the English FA Women’s Premier League South.
In the defensive back row besides Long are Maya Alcantara, Angela Beard, Jessika Cowart, Sofia Harrison, Reina Bonta, Rhea Chan, Aiselyn Sia and Catherine Buccat Graversen, who plays for Turkish club Asya Por in the Turkish Women’s Super League.
Joining Annis at midfield are Sara Eggesvik, Kaya Hawkinson, Katrina Guillou, Quinley Quezada, Camille Sahirul, Charisa Lemoran, Alexa Pino and Natalie Oca, 17, who plays for the Pacifica High School Mariners and Slammers FC.
Back in harness supporting Bolden at the front are Carleigh Frilles, Isabella Bandoja and Chandler McDaniel, who will be together with newcomers Nina Mathelus, Alessandrea Carpio and Chayse Ying.
The PFF women’s national team management conducted local tryouts from March 21 to 23 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium for the PH Under-17 squad that will compete in the AFC Under-17 Women’s Asian Cup from May 6 to 19 in Bali, Indonesia.
PFF president John Gutierrez, PFF director of football Vince Santos and national women’s team manager Jeff Cheng paid a visit during the tryouts conducted by PH U17 mentor Sinisa Cohadzic of Australia.
The junior Filipinas are bracketed in Group A with Indonesia, South Korea and North Kora, with the top two advancing to the knockout stage to battle for three available slots in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup
