AFC Women's Asian Cup
On a sunny 1pm kick-off at the Gold Coast Stadium, the 2022 finalists claimed the three points despite making seven changes to the line-up from their opening match against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
#WAC2026 | Group A: Philippines 0-3 Korea Republic
It was testament to Shin’s acumen that the first two goals involved players that were brought in, while the third was created by another. Having opted to rest the likes of veterans Ji So-yun, Kim Hye-ri, Jang Sel-gi and Choe Yu-ri, the 49-year-old explained that it was all part of the plan.
“While we were preparing for this tournament, we had a plan for every match; for the first one we planned to win with veteran players because the first match is always the hardest,” he said.
“While we were preparing for this tournament, we had a plan for every match; for the first one we planned to win with veteran players because the first match is always the hardest,” he said.
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“In the second match, we had (decided to introduce) a lot of young(er) players with good performances… The weather today was really hot and our players suffered a lot, but I want to thank all my players because they showed good performance.
“Although winning is good, our concentration in the closing stages was kind of a little less (than the rest of the match), so it is important (for us) to stay focused until the last whistle.”
“Although winning is good, our concentration in the closing stages was kind of a little less (than the rest of the match), so it is important (for us) to stay focused until the last whistle.”
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While back-to-back defeats have imperiled the Philippines’ hopes of progress, Mark Torcaso chose to focus on the positives and emphasised the importance of development opportunities for a team that has the third-youngest average age at this edition.
“It is not the result that we wanted, we want to obviously be closer and closer to the best teams (but) it is also a very good experience and learning for all our players, young and experienced,” he said. “So yes, I am disappointed that we did not get the result we wanted, but we cannot focus on that now. We have got to focus on the next game and what we need to do against Iran (next).
“I think our group is the toughest so you know, for our girls to fight to the death so far in both the games that we have played is a credit to them and a credit to all our people back home in the Philippines; that is their culture, that is what they are about. And I am proud to be the head coach of this national team, but I am (also) proud of all of our girls and their fight, that they show in every single game that we have played.”
“It is not the result that we wanted, we want to obviously be closer and closer to the best teams (but) it is also a very good experience and learning for all our players, young and experienced,” he said. “So yes, I am disappointed that we did not get the result we wanted, but we cannot focus on that now. We have got to focus on the next game and what we need to do against Iran (next).
“I think our group is the toughest so you know, for our girls to fight to the death so far in both the games that we have played is a credit to them and a credit to all our people back home in the Philippines; that is their culture, that is what they are about. And I am proud to be the head coach of this national team, but I am (also) proud of all of our girls and their fight, that they show in every single game that we have played.”
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Torcaso, who took charge in August 2023, further elaborated that the goal is to build a brighter future for women’s football in the Philippines, having seen early success with the historic first gold medal win at the SEA Games last year.
“I think the important thing for us… is that we need our players to constantly shine on the national stage, because then it influences anyone back at home in the Philippines to want to play the game,” the 44-year-old said.
“When we brought on some of our young girls in the second half, we could see that we were pushing them a little bit more and attacking a little bit more. And I think that's something that our country's got to look forward to for the future - that once we get our girls a little more experienced in those moments, in those situations, they are going to be more and more comfortable.
“More and more players are passionate about representing the Philippines, and I think the more that we are exposed to tournaments and competitions like this, the better that we're going to get as players. We want to just be competitive, and we want to try and get out of the group to go to another World Cup. We know it's going to be hard… and we're just determined to try and get this team and this country back on the international stage.”
“I think the important thing for us… is that we need our players to constantly shine on the national stage, because then it influences anyone back at home in the Philippines to want to play the game,” the 44-year-old said.
“When we brought on some of our young girls in the second half, we could see that we were pushing them a little bit more and attacking a little bit more. And I think that's something that our country's got to look forward to for the future - that once we get our girls a little more experienced in those moments, in those situations, they are going to be more and more comfortable.
“More and more players are passionate about representing the Philippines, and I think the more that we are exposed to tournaments and competitions like this, the better that we're going to get as players. We want to just be competitive, and we want to try and get out of the group to go to another World Cup. We know it's going to be hard… and we're just determined to try and get this team and this country back on the international stage.”
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