AFC Women's Asian Cup
Taking over from Stajcic shortly after the Filipinas’ historic debut on the global stage, Torcaso’s experience over the past two years has been a transformative journey defined by a drive to constantly strive for excellence.
Having guided the team through an unbeaten qualifying campaign, where they collected nine points, scored 10 goals, and conceded none, Torcaso credited his side’s preparation and defensive discipline as key to their success.
“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 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.”
For the 44-year-old, much of the Filipinas’ progress stems from the strong foundation laid in recent years and the blend of experienced and emerging players in the squad, which he believes will be a prime weapon in the team’s arsenal at Australia 2026.
“We have players with World Cup experience, and we want to make sure we utilise that, because they can pass on vital lessons to the younger ones who haven’t been there yet,” he said. “The groundwork has been laid over the last few years, and now it’s about giving the next generation opportunities to learn and grow.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that every single young girl dreams of playing for our country, and success on the national stage helps create that inspiration.”
“We have players with World Cup experience, and we want to make sure we utilise that, because they can pass on vital lessons to the younger ones who haven’t been there yet,” he said. “The groundwork has been laid over the last few years, and now it’s about giving the next generation opportunities to learn and grow.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that every single young girl dreams of playing for our country, and success on the national stage helps create that inspiration.”
With the 2026 edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup kicking off in March, the Australian tactician was pleased with the team’s valuable preparations through two major regional competitions – the AFF Women’s Championship in Vietnam and the SEA Games, where they won gold after defeating four-time champions Vietnam in December.
Both tournaments provided crucial opportunities to test and refine the squad ahead of the continental showpiece.
“The AFF event was outside the FIFA window, so it gave a lot of our young players an opportunity to step up, while the SEA Games let us test ourselves against strong opponents,” said the former Western United FC head coach.
Both tournaments provided crucial opportunities to test and refine the squad ahead of the continental showpiece.
“The AFF event was outside the FIFA window, so it gave a lot of our young players an opportunity to step up, while the SEA Games let us test ourselves against strong opponents,” said the former Western United FC head coach.
“We’re working through the stages towards reaching our goal for Brazil 2027, and our first stop is the Asian Cup in Australia.
“The last two years have been fantastic, and we know that once you go to the World Cup once, the expectation is to go again, and we are going to give everything to fulfil our mission.”
“The last two years have been fantastic, and we know that once you go to the World Cup once, the expectation is to go again, and we are going to give everything to fulfil our mission.”
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