Football: Banking on previous successes, Filipinas gear up for a busy 2025
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Football: Banking on previous successes, Filipinas gear up for a busy 2025
Filipinas play an intra-squad game at the MOA Football Pitch on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Filipinas play an intra-squad game at the MOA Football Pitch on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Women’s National Football Team is gearing up for a crucial year, with major tournaments on the horizon, including the Asian Cup qualifiers, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship, and the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games — all in 2025.
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Women’s National Football Team is gearing up for a crucial year, with major tournaments on the horizon, including the Asian Cup qualifiers, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship, and the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games — all in 2025.
Freddy Gonzalez, the National Team Director, emphasized the team’s focus this year leading to the World Cup Qualifying in 2026.
Freddy Gonzalez, the National Team Director, emphasized the team’s focus this year leading to the World Cup Qualifying in 2026.
“To be one hundred percent sure to qualify for the next World Cup, we got to make it to the (Asian Cup) semi-finals,” he stated.
“To be one hundred percent sure to qualify for the next World Cup, we got to make it to the (Asian Cup) semi-finals,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “You can’t take anybody lightly in international football. So, coming into this, everybody—the coaching staff, the players—knows what they need to do. We’re going into everything with the utmost seriousness.”
He also acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “You can’t take anybody lightly in international football. So, coming into this, everybody—the coaching staff, the players—knows what they need to do. We’re going into everything with the utmost seriousness.”
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“We’re really beefing up the roster because we want to be back in the World Cup. But to get to the World Cup, we got to get into the Asian Cup first,” Gonzalez explained.
“We’re really beefing up the roster because we want to be back in the World Cup. But to get to the World Cup, we got to get into the Asian Cup first,” Gonzalez explained.
The squad trained at the newly-opened Mall of Asia Football Pitch with 31 call-ups.
The squad trained at the newly-opened Mall of Asia Football Pitch with 31 call-ups.
Among the experienced players was Sarina Bolden, the forward whose historic goal against New Zealand in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup secured the Philippines' first-ever victory on the global stage.
Among the experienced players was Sarina Bolden, the forward whose historic goal against New Zealand in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup secured the Philippines' first-ever victory on the global stage.
She was joined by standout goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, who played a pivotal role in that iconic win.
She was joined by standout goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, who played a pivotal role in that iconic win.
“Of course, it’s something that I don’t think I would ever forget,” McDaniel said about their World Cup run.
“Of course, it’s something that I don’t think I would ever forget,” McDaniel said about their World Cup run.
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National team head coach Mark Torcaso shared insights into having a more aggressive tactical approach for the team.
National team head coach Mark Torcaso shared insights into having a more aggressive tactical approach for the team.
“We’re just working on our playing style. We want to be a little more attacking, but we also want to be solid and hard to break down defensively," Torcaso said.
“We’re just working on our playing style. We want to be a little more attacking, but we also want to be solid and hard to break down defensively," Torcaso said.
"Obviously, it’s not going to take just one week but a bit more time," he added.
"Obviously, it’s not going to take just one week but a bit more time," he added.
McDaniel echoed this sentiment, saying, “We’re focusing on our play style and getting more confident on how we want to play together.”
McDaniel echoed this sentiment, saying, “We’re focusing on our play style and getting more confident on how we want to play together.”
One of the key players in attendance during their camp was midfielder Sara Eggesvik, who plays club football in Australia and remains proud to represent the Philippines.
One of the key players in attendance during their camp was midfielder Sara Eggesvik, who plays club football in Australia and remains proud to represent the Philippines.
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“It’s always nice to be back here. It’s always nice to engage with the fans, to see the fans again and all their support here in Manila,” she said.
“It’s always nice to be back here. It’s always nice to engage with the fans, to see the fans again and all their support here in Manila,” she said.
The team remains determined to build on its previous success and qualify for the next World Cup.
The team remains determined to build on its previous success and qualify for the next World Cup.
“I think we need a really competitive team. That’s what we’re trying to formulate with all these new faces, making sure we don’t get complacent with the faces that have already been around for a while," McDaniel shared.
“I think we need a really competitive team. That’s what we’re trying to formulate with all these new faces, making sure we don’t get complacent with the faces that have already been around for a while," McDaniel shared.
Bolden added, “I’m just so grateful to be in this position. We’re just going to prepare the best we can. We’re working on things. Mark has a vision, and as players, we try to play out that vision they have for us. But at the end of the day, we have a wealth of experience, and we’re going to put that out on the field each and every day.”
Bolden added, “I’m just so grateful to be in this position. We’re just going to prepare the best we can. We’re working on things. Mark has a vision, and as players, we try to play out that vision they have for us. But at the end of the day, we have a wealth of experience, and we’re going to put that out on the field each and every day.”
The event concluded with an intrasquad exhibition match that ended in a 1-1 draw, followed by a heartwarming reunion between the players and their dedicated fans.
The event concluded with an intrasquad exhibition match that ended in a 1-1 draw, followed by a heartwarming reunion between the players and their dedicated fans.
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