With the goal of qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on the horizon, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team will prepare for its upcoming 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification matches in Orange County, California next month.
“The tryouts and training camp mark the team’s preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers scheduled for 13-25 September 2021.
“The Philippines, ranked 68th in the FIFA Rankings, will face Hong Kong (ranked 76th) and Nepal (ranked 100th) in Group F of the qualifiers. The top team at the end of the group stage will qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 next year, for a chance to qualify to the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said the statement.
Reinstated head coach Marlon Maro shall keep an eye on the proceedings.
Joining him are the likes of assistant coaches Rose Ton Barinan, Michael Agbayani, Anthony Albao, and Marlon Pinero; and physiotherapists Red Sajonia, Anna Demigillo, and Stella Perreras. Meanwhile, current PFF Women’s Committee co-chairperson Jefferson Cheng serves as Team Manager.
“Over the past few months, the team has been doing online training sessions in preparation for the tournament, and most of the players have been unable to play on the field for the past year due to the pandemic,” said Maro.
“The US training camp will help the players gain valuable playing time through proper training; and at the same time to reinforce the squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.”
For his part, PFF President Mariano Araneta — who is currently in Japan serving as the country’s Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020 Olympics — is hopeful that this endeavor will help the team improve on its previous edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. There, it garnered a win, then came one victory away from booking a ticket for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
“It has been a challenge for the Philippine Women’s National Team just to prepare for the qualifiers given the current situation. We hope that through this United States training camp, the players are able to prepare well for the qualifiers,” said Araneta.
“We wish the team all the best in their bid to qualify to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the second straight edition.”
Filipinas in America who wish to join the tryouts need to be at least 18-years-old with a valid Philippine passport.
