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AFC Women's Asian Cup
Fast-forward to Sunday, the United States-based forward found herself coming on at the start of the second half in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ tie against Australia, in front of a 44,379-strong crowd – the highest ever attendance in the competition’s history.
The substitute appearance was only Guy’s sixth cap, having made her debut during December’s SEA Games, where her irrepressible performances played a part in convincing Mark Torcaso to include her in the squad Down Under.
The substitute appearance was only Guy’s sixth cap, having made her debut during December’s SEA Games, where her irrepressible performances played a part in convincing Mark Torcaso to include her in the squad Down Under.
Guy scored a late equaliser against Thailand in the semi-finals and converted the opening penalty in the subsequent shootout, before netting the first spot-kick again in their victory against Vietnam in the final to help the Philippines secure a historic first ever gold medal.
It has been a memorable journey made possible by Guy’s desire to represent the Filipinas, having actively contacted Torcaso and sent him highlights, with heritage stemming from her mother’s nationality.
It has been a memorable journey made possible by Guy’s desire to represent the Filipinas, having actively contacted Torcaso and sent him highlights, with heritage stemming from her mother’s nationality.
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“I just reached out because it has always been a dream of mine,” the 18-year-old told the-AFC.com. “My mom is Filipino so that has a lot to do with my motivation – my family and my roots, and that led me to the Philippines.
“I have family in the Philippines, and it was also a way for me to become a better player and grow… for my aspirations of becoming a pro one day, playing on the national team would also lead me to that route as well.”
“I have family in the Philippines, and it was also a way for me to become a better player and grow… for my aspirations of becoming a pro one day, playing on the national team would also lead me to that route as well.”
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Born in Germany when her parents were based there as part of work for her father, who is in the United States military, Guy moved back after around two years to Highland Falls, New York.
She honed her skills at the World Class FC academy and also turned out for James I. O'Neill High School, before her path toward representing the Philippines started with a call-up to an Under-17 training camp at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Centre in California in January 2024.
Guy donned the jersey for the first time during the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia 2024™, before earning her maiden senior call and then featuring here in Australia as the third-youngest squad member behind goalkeeper Leah Bradley, 16, and midfielder Ava Villapando, 17 – both were also part of the Chula Vista camp, together with another member, 18-year-old Ariana Markey.
She honed her skills at the World Class FC academy and also turned out for James I. O'Neill High School, before her path toward representing the Philippines started with a call-up to an Under-17 training camp at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Centre in California in January 2024.
Guy donned the jersey for the first time during the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia 2024™, before earning her maiden senior call and then featuring here in Australia as the third-youngest squad member behind goalkeeper Leah Bradley, 16, and midfielder Ava Villapando, 17 – both were also part of the Chula Vista camp, together with another member, 18-year-old Ariana Markey.
“You know, for me, it was just the focus on doing the best that I can, and if I made it here, I made it here,” said Guy, who is currently a student at Brown University and plays for their football team, as well as Hudson Valley Crusaders of the USL W League. “If I didn't, I didn't, but the fact that I am (now) is just an honour, and I can thank Coach Mark for that.
“It was such an honour to play on a big stage and this is my first time… I am just really grateful to be here. I think that the team, individually and collectively, we are all just going to work our hardest and compete the best that we know.
“I think that our preparation before this tournament has really helped us… And I think we, like Coach Mark said, we expected the hard competition and mentally and physically, we are ready for it.”
“It was such an honour to play on a big stage and this is my first time… I am just really grateful to be here. I think that the team, individually and collectively, we are all just going to work our hardest and compete the best that we know.
“I think that our preparation before this tournament has really helped us… And I think we, like Coach Mark said, we expected the hard competition and mentally and physically, we are ready for it.”
Torcaso noted that the inclusion of a younger group of players in this squad, with 14 of the 26 aged below 24, is part of a deliberate strategy to ensure the next generation comes through.
“This was Jael’s first game in an AFC tournament, and there were a number of players that represented the country for the first time in a major tournament as well,” he said. “So all these games are about growth for our players, which has a big impact on every single young girl that wants to play the game back in the Philippines.
“So, we just want to perform at the highest level as best we can, and we change the, I guess, the dialogue, that we want more and more girls to play football in the Philippines. And these girls are doing a fantastic job at the moment.”
“This was Jael’s first game in an AFC tournament, and there were a number of players that represented the country for the first time in a major tournament as well,” he said. “So all these games are about growth for our players, which has a big impact on every single young girl that wants to play the game back in the Philippines.
“So, we just want to perform at the highest level as best we can, and we change the, I guess, the dialogue, that we want more and more girls to play football in the Philippines. And these girls are doing a fantastic job at the moment.”
With the experience of facing Australia under her belt, Guy is ready for more as they turn their attention to Korea Republic on Thursday.
“We are very excited for this next game,” she said. “I think that we performed as best as we could for Australia, and it has helped set us up to play well against Korea, so we are all very excited.”
“We are very excited for this next game,” she said. “I think that we performed as best as we could for Australia, and it has helped set us up to play well against Korea, so we are all very excited.”
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