WITH an eye on the three spots in the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup in October, the Young Filipinas kick off their campaign in Group A of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Under-17 Asian Cup against host Indonesia today in the Indonesian island resort of Bali.
Coached by Australian Siniza Cohadzic, the Pinoy footballers tangle with the hosts at the 18,000-seat Kapten Wayan Stadium at 7 p.m. after the game between North and South Korea at the Bali United Training Center.
The 23-member Young Filipinas roster will have Bri Baker, Leah Bradley and Sam Hughes as goalkeepers while manning the back row are CC Dizon, Anna Medalla, Caidy Nelson, Luna Riviera, Aise Sia, Jelly Soon and Lauren Villasin.
At midfield are Bella Alamo, Fran Alberto, Kendyll King, Tea Pidding, Alexa Pino, Sophia Saludares, and Ava Villapando while spearheading the offense are Kieran Bradley, Nina Mathelus, Louraine Evangelista, Jael Guy and Nat Collins.
Japan, China, Australia, and Thailand make up Group B, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the crossover semifinals.
The two finalists and the winner of the match between the two losing semifinalists will advance to the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup to be held from Oct. 16 to Nov. 3 in the Dominican Republic.
Cohadzic’s charges are hoping to trace the footsteps of the Filipinas, the national women’s football team, who made their debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand last year after reaching the semifinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India in 2022.
