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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider After short turnaround, Filipinas make Asian Games debut vs Hong Kong

After short turnaround, Filipinas make Asian Games debut vs Hong Kong

Published Sep 21, 2023 05:08 am

At A Glance

  • After a captivating debut in the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Philippine women's national football team is back on the big stage when it makes its maiden appearance in the Asian Games. 

After a captivating debut in the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Philippine women’s national football team is back on the big stage when it makes its maiden appearance in the Asian Games.

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Filipinas' co-captain Hali Long. (PNWFT)


The world No. 44 Filipinas will open their campaign in Group E facing a familiar foe in Hong Kong on Friday, Sept. 22 at the Wenzhou Sports Centre Stadium in China at 4 p.m. (Manila time).

The Nationals dominated the Hong Kong side, 4-nil, in their previous encounter in April during the first round of the AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament and marched into the next stage of the event.

The Filipinas flew to China on Monday, Sept. 18, where they assembled for the first time since the conclusion of the football showpiece that saw the players receive warm homecoming celebrations.

At least six players from the World Cup lineup also remained in the Philippines and had a brief camp along with the under 17 team.

The last 18 months saw continued success for the Filipinas with former head coach Alen Stajcic at the helm, who ended his run with the squad two days after the country's historic World Cup appearance.

With newly appointed coach Mark Torcaso racing against time after the short turnaround, even he will be put on acid test as his two-year stint officially begins at the Asiad.

The 21-member Filipinas roster is bannered by co-captain Hali Long, Sarina Bolden and Sara Eggesvik.

The opening match should also come as a potential win for the Philippines as it retained almost the same World Cup rotation aside from Angela Beard, who is playing for Sweden's Linköping FC in the Women’s Champions League and Alicia Barker.

Unfortunately, the Asiad is halfway outside of the FIFA window and some players are still fulfilling club duties overseas.

The Filipinas landed in pretty workable group stage fixtures, with world No. 20 South Korea coming in next as a tough contender three days later before they wrap up the first round against world No. 51 Myanmar.

Related Tags

Philippine women’s football Filipinas Mark Torcaso 19th asian games
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