AFC Women's Asian Cup
Their debut appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia and New Zealand has increased the focus on the women’s game in the country and the Filipinas are showing no signs of slowing.
Under the tutelage of Mark Torcaso - who took over from Australian compatriot Alen Stajcic - Philippines breezed through the Qualifiers despite the absence of star forward Sarina Bolden.
Under the tutelage of Mark Torcaso - who took over from Australian compatriot Alen Stajcic - Philippines breezed through the Qualifiers despite the absence of star forward Sarina Bolden.
Factfile
FIFA Ranking: 41
Previous appearances: 10
Best finish: Semi-finals (2022)
2022 record: Semi-finals
How they qualified: Group G winners
Group A fixtures - March 1: v Australia; March 5: v Korea Republic; March 8: v IR Iran
Fun fact: Prior to qualifying for the 2022 edition, Philippines' last appearance at the Finals was in 2003
FIFA Ranking: 41
Previous appearances: 10
Best finish: Semi-finals (2022)
2022 record: Semi-finals
How they qualified: Group G winners
Group A fixtures - March 1: v Australia; March 5: v Korea Republic; March 8: v IR Iran
Fun fact: Prior to qualifying for the 2022 edition, Philippines' last appearance at the Finals was in 2003
Starting off their Qualifiers Group G campaign with a 3-0 win against Saudi Arabia, Philippines followed that up with an emphatic 6-0 success against hosts Cambodia.
That set up a tantalising match against Hong Kong, China in their final group match where the Southeast Asian side needed to avoid defeat to go through.
That set up a tantalising match against Hong Kong, China in their final group match where the Southeast Asian side needed to avoid defeat to go through.
Torcaso’s side left nothing to chance with a Chandler McDaniel goal in the fourth minute sealing their perfect campaign.
The canny 45-year-old has now set the target of securing one of the four automatic spots to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
“The qualification process for us was about making sure that we got three wins and didn’t concede a goal,” said Torcaso to the-AFC.com in a recent interview. “We focused really hard on making that happen, and we did it – nine points, lots of goals scored, and none conceded. That was our goal in Cambodia, and we achieved it.”
The canny 45-year-old has now set the target of securing one of the four automatic spots to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
“The qualification process for us was about making sure that we got three wins and didn’t concede a goal,” said Torcaso to the-AFC.com in a recent interview. “We focused really hard on making that happen, and we did it – nine points, lots of goals scored, and none conceded. That was our goal in Cambodia, and we achieved it.”
Such has been the progress made by the Philippines that they emerged champions in the 2025 SEA Games - defeating four-time winners Vietnam to lay their hands on the gold medal for the first time.
Having had ample time to work on his squad, Torcaso will be confident that his players will challenge their Group A opponents for a spot in the next stage.
Having had ample time to work on his squad, Torcaso will be confident that his players will challenge their Group A opponents for a spot in the next stage.
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