In front of a massive home crowd at Rizal Memorial in 2022, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team etched its name in the history books by winning the AFF Women’s Championship — the country’s first-ever title in a major international football competition, for either men or women.
Now, the responsibility of defending that lone football title falls on a younger, revamped squad set to compete in the 2025 ASEAN Women’s Championship, now rebranded as the MSIG Serenity Cup, to be held in Hải Phòng, Vietnam, from August 6 to 19.
Unlike in 2022, this year’s tournament does not coincide with a FIFA international window. That will deprive the Philippines of many of its World Cup veterans who are currently signed with professional clubs in Europe, Australia, the United States, and Canada.
Only a handful of players from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup roster are suiting up this time around: team captain Hali Long, fellow defender Malea Cesar, second all-time leading scorer Quinley Quezada, and the McDaniel sisters, Olivia and Chandler.
Joining them are two alternates from the World Cup squad — veteran goalkeeper Inah Palacios and 19-year-old midfielder Bella Pasion.
Head coach Mark Torcaso has tapped heavily into the youth pool and local clubs for the title defense campaign.
Of the 23 players now in Vietnam, 12 are aged 21 and below. Seven of them are teenagers, including two 16-year-olds: midfielder Tea Pidding and standout forward Nina Mathelus.
Unfortunately, Mathelus may have to sit out the team’s opener against Timor Leste on Thursday, August 7, due to a red card received in their match against Hong Kong during the 2026 AFC Women’s Asia Cup qualifiers last month.
To reach the semifinals, the Filipinas must finish among the top two in their group — a task that hinges on crucial matchups against the Australian Under-23 team on Sunday, August 10, and Myanmar on Wednesday, August 13.
Challengers Australia and Myanmar Bring Depth and Experience
Australian head coach Joe Palatsides has assembled a formidable U-23 squad brimming with talent from the top-tier A-League Women, the premier women’s league in Australia.
All 23 players have played in the league’s most recent season, making the team relatively young but by no means inexperienced.
“Development is a big part of what we’re doing, but we’re also going to Vietnam to win,” Palatsides told aleague.com.au.
“We want our players to embrace the challenge, rise to the occasion, and understand what it means to wear the Australian jersey.”
Among the key players to watch is 23-year-old midfielder Isabel Gomez, who scored the only goal in the 2025 A-League Women Grand Final for Central Coast Mariners. She also converted again in the penalty shootout to seal the championship, earning Player of the Match honors.
Forward Bryleeh Henry (Melbourne City) and goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln (Western United) also bring senior national team experience to the tournament.
Meanwhile, Myanmar is aiming for redemption following a disappointing performance in the AFC Women’s Asia Cup qualifiers, where a 1–2 loss to Bangladesh at home cost them a spot in the 2026 tournament.
The last two meetings between the Philippines (world no. 41) and Myanmar (world no. 55) took place in 2023.
Myanmar triumphed 1–0 at the Southeast Asian Games, but the Filipinas got their revenge with a resounding 3–0 victory at the Asian Games.
Under Japanese head coach Tetsuro Uki, Myanmar recently won the 2025 International Women’s Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal — an invitational event that featured Nepal, Lebanon, and Kyrgyzstan.
One of Myanmar’s advantages is roster availability and preparation time, with most players competing in their domestic league. Notable exceptions include all-time Myanmar Women’s League and India Women’s League top scorer Win Theingi Tun (Sabah FA Women, Malaysia) and US-based forward May Htet Lu.
Uki will also rely on forward San Thaw Thaw — Myanmar’s second-most capped player — and two 22-year-old midfielders: Win Win, who netted five goals in the AFC qualifiers, and Shwe Yee Tun, who added three.
Youth Movement Faces Early Test in Vietnam
(C) PFF
While the Filipinas kept a clean sheet in the recent AFC qualifiers, replicating that feat may prove difficult this time, with only Hali Long anchoring what was once a veteran-heavy backline.
On the attacking end, scoring goals may be just as challenging.
Key offensive weapons from the AFC qualifiers — Meryll Serrano and Alex Pino — are not available for this tournament.
Still, this youthful iteration of the Filipinas presents a promising core eager to prove itself.
Retaining the title will require hard work, composure, and a bit of luck, but with determined leadership and budding talent, the mission is far from impossible.
