The Philippine Football Federation unveiled the 14-woman roster for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers, set to take place at the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from January 11 to 19, 2025.
The team is a mix of local and international talent, meticulously chosen during a talent identification camp held in Manila from December 26 to 30, 2024.
Since January 2, the final squad has been undergoing intensive training to prepare for their Group C matches against Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Australia.
Leading the charge for the Philippines are Sheen Borres, Shelah Cadag, Sara Castañeda, Judy Connolly, Shai Del Campo, Isabella Flanigan, Cathrine Graversen, Katrina Guillou, Samantha Hughes, Rocelle Mendaño, Vrendelle Nuera, Regine Rebosora, Kayla Santiago, and Dionesa Tolentin.
The PFF has also named a new head coach, Spanish mentor Rafa Merino Rodriguez, following a holiday shakeup in which Vic Hermans was reassigned to the men’s team.
Merino holds a UEFA Pro License and has managed prominent futsal clubs like Pescados Rubén Burela FS and Esportiu Rubí FS. He brings a wealth of experience to the team.
“I am honored to be appointed as the new head coach of the Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team,” Merino shared. “I look forward to working with these players to build a competitive, unified squad ready to excel in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.”
The changes have not been without controversy.
Fromer team manager Daniel Moran oversees the Pinay5 training pool which recently had a training camp at the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation in Muntinlupa. He had requested the PFF retain Hermans as the women’s head coach.
Moran’s plea has yet to be addressed, with PFF President John Gutierrez declining to comment on the matter until after the qualifiers.
The Pinay5 team consists of Agot Danton, Jada Bicierro, Erissa Rivas, Kaycee Nañola, Joanna Vega, Angelica Teves, Lanie Ortillo, Louraine Evangelista, Mykaella Abeto, Demely Rollon, and Althea Rebosura.
The AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers will follow a centralized league format.
The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed team, will advance to the final tournament in China later this year.
The top three finishers in the finals will secure berths in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, to be hosted by the Philippines from November 21 to December 7, 2025.
Gutierrez expressed pride in the team’s preparations and the opportunity to host the FIFA World Cup.
“The Asian Cup Qualifiers will be a pivotal moment for our women’s futsal national team, as their performance here will set the tone for our campaign in the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup,” he said.
“I am very optimistic about the team we’ve assembled under Coach Merino’s leadership.”
