Filipinas counting on young players in ASEAN Cup repeat bid

ASIDE from defending the crown, Philippines head coach Mark Torcaso said the coming ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup in Vietnam is also an opportunity for the Filipinas to prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup next year.

The Filipinas will come in as the defending champions of the ASEAN women’s tournament after bagging the crown in 2022, but most of the mainstays like Katrina Guillou, Sara Eggesvik, and Meryll Serrano, will not be around since the regional competition is not part of the FIFA international window.

READ Sarina Bolden reveals ruptured ACL as reason for absence from Filipinas

Sarina Bolden is also out due to an ACL injury.

“Obviously, we’ve got a lot of young players here. We’ve got a lot of them. Some new players that haven’t been in camp before, and with this not being FIFA window, it’s a good chance for us to test them and see where they’re at,” said Torcaso.

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Midfielders Jaycee DeFazio and Adelaide Wyrzynski, and defenders Azumi Oka, Aaliyah Schinaman, and Adelaide Wyrzynski will be making their debut with the Filipinas, while midfielder Isabella Alamo, defender Lyka Cuenco, and forward Tea Pidding join the seniors squad from the youth program.

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Torcaso said despite the relative inexperience, the team has what it takes to win back-to-back titles, although the goal as well is to expand the pool ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March where the Filipinas will go up against Australia, South Korea, and Iran.

The Asian Cup is also a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil where the Filipinas are out to return.

“Obviously we’re going to go there with an intention to win because we want to defend the title. But we also have to consider there’s a lot of young players in here that we want to give the opportunity to play senior international football and see if they’re ready for Asia Cup because that’s obviously what we want to aim for and that’s where we want to go – to the World Cup,” the Australian coach said.

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The Filipinas are looking to reach the semifinals by taking one of the top two places in Group B. The team has arrived in Vietnam for the tournament.

The Philippines goes up against Timor Leste on Thursday at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam to open its campaign in the tournament.

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The Nationals also battle the Australia U23 team on Sunday, also at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho.

The scene shifts to the Lach Tray Stadium in Haiphong, Vietnam for the clash against Myanmar on August 13 to close Group B hostilities.

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