The Philippine women’s national football team will be in Manila for their October training camp, where they will also play an international friendly against Uzbekistan.
Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso has named 26 players to join the upcoming training camp for the Philippine Women’s National Football Team in the October FIFA window in Manila, which will culminate with a friendly against Uzbekistan.
The team announced on Friday that the Filipinas will play Uzbekistan on October 29 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium as they prepare for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia next year.
Long-time Filipinas skipper Hali Long headlines the veterans in the team including returnees Sara Eggesvik, Meryll Serrano, Katrina Guillou, Jaclyn Sawicki, Angie Beard, Jessika Cowart, and Sofia Wunsch after missing out on the Filipinas’ last tournament.
The national team failed to defend their MSIG Serenity Cup crown in Vietnam owing to a lack of manpower with the competition happening outside a FIFA window.
But now with more hands on deck, Torcaso is hoping for better results.
Also called up are McDaniel sisters Olivia and Chandler, Inna Palacios, Nina Meollo, Madison Ayson, Rhea Chan, Janae Defazio, Nya Harrison, Kaya Hawkinson, Bella Pasion, Emma Tovar, Ava Villapando, Alexia Blanco, Malia Cerdon, Carleigh Frilles, Nina Mathelus, and Dionesa Tolentin.
Isabella Villaflor is the lone newcomer for the team in the camp.
“The game against Uzbekistan is a great challenge, as they have also qualified for the Asian cup and they are a very tough opponent,” said Torcaso of their upcoming friendly.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.