Mark Torcaso is prepared to embrace the challenge of leading the Philippine Women’s National Football Team as their head coach for the upcoming Asian Games in China and AFC Olympic Qualifiers in Australia.
At 42 years old, Torcaso arrives in the Philippines with a commendable record. He secured multiple titles with Calder United and guided Western United to the 2022-2023 A-League finals in its inaugural year. Additionally, he holds the prestigious title of reigning A-League Coach of the Year.
The allure of stepping onto the international football stage was too significant for him to ignore. He will now take the reins of the Filipinas’ leadership while also maintaining his role with Western United.
“I bring a mindset of prioritizing the team and our culture, with a focus on working together. This applies not only to the players but also to the entire group, including the staff,” Torcaso articulated. “My intention is to instill these same values and morals within this group. I truly aim to make it all about the playing group and our collective efforts to continue the success we’ve experienced and carry it forward.
“This is about inclusivity. It involves ensuring that every player feels valued and that the staff are recognized for their importance and contributions. We’re determined to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities. As a national team, we bear the responsibility of representing our nation. It’s of utmost importance for us to deliver and take responsibility for inspiring every young player to aspire to represent the Filipinas someday.”
Torcaso takes charge of a program that stunned the world by not only qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup but also by defeating host nation New Zealand 1-0, with a goal by Sarina Bolden.
He will collaborate with Andrew Durante, his colleague at Western Sydney, who represented New Zealand in 24 international matches, and Sinisha Cohadzic. Cohadzic is currently associated with South Melbourne FC. Apart from assisting Torcaso, he will lead the Girls’ Under-17 and Under-20 teams and guide the Girls’ Under-17 team in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Vietnam next month.
While emphasizing that he will provide every player an opportunity to prove themselves, regardless of their origins, Torcaso is optimistic that his familiarity with a few Filipinas players will expedite the adjustment process. Jaclyn Sawicki and Angie Beard are players from Western United, while Sarina Bolden is part of Western Sydney.
With the Asian Games campaign set to commence on September 22, he aims for a strong start to establish a new successful campaign for the Filipinas.
“Based on my understanding, some players have returned to their respective countries or clubs within the Philippines. It’s essential for us, during the initial days of the camp, to assess not only their physical condition but also their mental state,” Torcaso highlighted. “During the first few days of the camp, we need to gauge where everyone stands, both physically and mentally. Some of these players have undergone two challenging years in football. The demands of a World Cup have undoubtedly taken a toll, and we’ll observe how they adapt upon their arrival.
“Emotional well-being is also a priority, as the past couple of years have been significant for both players and staff. We’ll ensure their well-being and check on their status upon their arrival.
“We’ll evaluate their condition, possibly conduct minor assessments, and progressively build towards the Asian Games. Our main challenge is the limited time available to prepare for the Asian Games. However, this also serves as an indicator of our readiness for the Olympic qualifiers,” he continued.
Upon learning the news that Torcaso had secured the Filipinas job, he received a congratulatory message from his predecessor, Alen Stajcic. Throughout Stajcic’s tenure with the Philippines, he consistently emphasized the players giving their all while wearing the Filipinas shirt, regardless of their backgrounds.
Torcaso acknowledges the players’ pride in their connection to the country and their display of this pride against international opponents. He aims to harness this quality to sustain the program’s recent success under Stajcic’s leadership.
“This team exudes passion. They hold deep respect for their heritage. This is something that can be further cultivated in players the more they represent their country,” Torcaso observed. “It’s remarkable to witness the profound respect these players have for their heritage. While they are undoubtedly fighters, it’s evident that they wholeheartedly fight for each other. We aim to nurture more of this sense of togetherness and the determination to collectively fight for each other and our nation.
“That’s the kind of mentality I aim to instill. This is also how I approach coaching myself. It embodies our mentality.”
