Make up of Filipinas squad has slight difference

Filipinas prepare for round 2 of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers | PHOTO: Official facebook page of Philippine Women’s National Football Team

The make up of the Philippine women’s football team’s lineup for Hangzhou Asian Games (Asiad) has some slight difference to the previous version that made history in the Fifa (International Federation of Association Football) Women’s World Cup almost two months ago.

Sarina Bolden, Olivia McDaniel, Hali Long, Sara Eggesvik, Katrina Guillou and Quinley Quezada are back to don the Filipinas shirt for the continental meet where they’ll eye a historic medal finish in new coach Mark Torcaso’s maiden competition.

But Torcaso has also enlisted some players who were part of past tournaments, namely World Cup cuts Eva Madarang and Kaya Hawkinson, Camille Rodriguez and Alisha del Campo, the La Salle striker who has been on a goal scoring rampage in the Philippine Football Federation Women’s League.

There were also notable absentees from the 21-player squad released on Tuesday. Steady defender Angie Beard won’t be around, so is fellow starter Alicia Barker and Tahnai Annis. Ryley Bugay is also not part of the team after announcing her retirement a few weeks back.

Jessika Cowart and Sofia Harrison will be there for the Filipinas along with fellow back Reina Bonta while Jaclyn Sawicki will be part of a heavy midfield depth that includes Anicka Castañeda, Isabella Pasion and Natalie Oca.

Also up front are Chandler McDaniel and Meryll Serrano while Inna Palacios and Kiara Fontanilla will serve as two backups for Olivia McDaniel, who will hope to replicate her fantastic goalkeeping ways from the World Cup into the Asiad.

The Filipinas will be eyeing to get into the quarterfinals either as winner of Group E or emerge as three best second placers.

Joining the Philippines are South Korea, Myanmar and Hong Kong. INQ