FILE–Filipinas after upsetting Vietnam in the AFF Women’s Championship 2022. -PFF PHOTO
Familiar faces headline the Philippine women’s football team’s squad for the first round of the 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifying Tournament slated next week in Hisor, Tajikistan.
Sarina Bolden, Hali Long, Olivia McDaniel, Katrina Guillou, Quinley Quezada, Tahnai Annis and Sara Eggesvik were among those named to the 21-player list for the tournament which puts the Filipinas in Group B alongside host Tajikistan, Hong Kong and Pakistan.
Coach Alen Stajcic has also included striker Chandler McDaniel, who will play her first major tournament since suffering an ACL injury in last year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India.
McDaniel took part in the United States camp last September but didn’t see action in a friendly match against New Zealand.
Jessika Cowart, Carleigh Frilles, Sofia Harrison, Eva Madarang, Jaclyn Sawicki, Anicka Castaneda, Malea Cesar, Meryll Serrano, Maya Alcantara, Alicia Barker, Reina Bonta, Inna Palacios and Kiara Fontanilla complete the roster.
The World Cup-bound Filipinas are favored to progress into the next round of the Olympic Qualifiers as the top team in the group.
The Philippines opens its campaign on April 5 against Pakistan before facing Tajikistan on April 8 and Hong Kong on April 11 at Hisor Central Stadium.