With another championship medal around her neck, Kaya-Iloilo stalwart Hali Long is already setting her sights on a bigger stage: the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Cambodia, kicking off this weekend.
The veteran center-back — now a two-time PFF Women’s League (PFFWL) champion — will once again don national colors as the Philippine Women’s National Football Team takes on Group G opponents Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, and Hong Kong.
Only the top team from the group will punch its ticket to next year’s prestigious continental tournament in Australia.
Long heads into national duty riding the momentum of a thrilling domestic campaign that saw Kaya not only clinch back-to-back league titles but also secure a historic berth in the AFC Women’s Champions League.
“It was hard because I didn’t want to put too much focus on it, because tonight was such a big game,” said Long, moments after Kaya’s title-clinching victory. “The past few games have been really big and we kind of let things slip — like things kinda slipped away from the league.
“After tonight, I guess I’ll focus on Cambodia, and all my teammates getting there on time and healthy. I can’t wait to catch up with them. We have two weeks in Cambodia. We’ll be doing our best to put on a performance and to get ourselves back in the Asian Cup.”
Long knows the road ahead won’t be easy. The Filipinas are still reeling from a recent home loss to Chinese Taipei, and the challenge now lies in regrouping and building momentum for the qualifiers.
“It’s not an easy road, we know that, and each game is important. Coming off of our loss to Chinese Taipei here at home, there’s still more growth, still digging in our pool, still trying to solidify our camp going to Cambodia. Hopefully, we can qualify.”
Kaya secured the PFFWL crown on the final matchday last Saturday with a gritty 2-1 win over Makati FC. The result allowed them to pull level with Stallion Laguna at 23 points but edge ahead on goal difference — +35 to Stallion’s +19.
With the league race going down to the wire, Long acknowledged the emotional toll of the competition and hopes that the national team members from rival clubs can quickly shift gears.
“Hopefully, we can all breathe and focus on Cambodia because it’s been tight and it’s hard. It’s honestly been hard to be teammates off the pitch because this league has been so tight. But yeah, we’re teammates off the pitch here,” said the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship gold medalist.
“As soon as we step off, we’re also teammates. I think that’s important, and I commend all my teammates for being here in the league. It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s not an easy feat. It was such a draining season. It’s a shock to the body, but I loved everyone who’s come to the Philippines to help women’s football because it’s what this country deserves.”
Long, along with fellow Kaya teammates Dionesa Tolentin and Inna Palacios, will now link up with a national pool that also includes Stallion’s Olivia and Chandler McDaniel. And while rivalries have defined their league battles, camaraderie must now define their journey in Cambodia.
