PH women’s football team on its way to India.– PilipinasNWFT Twitter
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine national women’s football team is headed to India to play in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup where five slots for the Fifa Women’s World Cup are at stake.
The Philippine internationals wrapped up their two-month training camp in Irvine, California and will now test their mettle in the continental tiff.
“The Philippine Women’s National Team wrapped up a productive two-month camp in Irvine, California in preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India,” posted the Philippine Football Federation on Facebook.
“We wish the team a safe journey to Mumbai with more than a week remaining before the first match against Thailand on Jan. 21.”
The Filipinos missed out on the 2019 World Cup after losing to South Korea, 5-0, in the fifth place match.
Midfielder Tahnai Annis will wear the captain’s arm band as she leads the 23 women that will represent the Philippines in India.
Included in the lineup are goalkeepers Inna Palacios, Kiara Fontanilla, and Olivia Davies McDaniel; defenders Dominique Randle, Tara Shelton, Hali Long, Kristen Bugay, Morgan Brown, Isabella Flanigan, Sofia Harrison, and Katrina Guillou.
Joining Annis in midfield are Malea Cesar, Camille Rodriguez, Jessica Miclat, Anicka Castaneda, Sara Castañeda, and Keanne Alamo.
Chandler McDaniel, Carleigh Frilles, Sarina Bolden, Eva Madarang, and Quinely Quezada are tasked with leading the line as the team’s forwards.
The Philippines will kick off their campaign against regional power Thailand on January 21 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, before taking on continental juggernaut Australia on January 24 at the Mumbai Football Arena.
The Filipinos’ will end their Group B campaign against Indonesia on January 27 at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.
Only the top two teams of each group, along with the two best third-placers, will advance to the knockout stage.