Filipinas open OQT bid against Taiwanese

Filipinas.–PFF PHOTO

The Filipinas will once again cross path with Chinese Taipei in its bid to progress past the second round of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) starting on Thursday afternoon in Perth, Australia.

Coach Mark Torcaso’s side hopes to produce another win at the expense of the Taiwanese, the team they beat in January 2022 to secure a historic place in this year’s Fifa (International Federation of Association Football) Women’s World Cup.

Kickoff is set at 4 p.m. in Manila at Perth Rectangular Stadium with goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and striker Sarina Bolden back for a chance to create another moment to remember for the country’s women’s football scene.

Chinese Taipei is the first opponent of the Filipinas in Group A, with host Australia and Iran also on the schedule.

They play Australia and Chelsea star striker Sam Kerr on Sunday at the cavernous Perth Stadium as the host team known as the Matildas look to build on their historic run in the World Cup, where they reached the semis amid a huge audience.

Getting a result against Chinese Taipei may determine if the Philippines can advance to the last phase of the Olympic Qualifier.

With Australia in the group, the Philippines must emerge as the best among the three second placers to make the two-legged third round where two Olympic slots for Asia are to be contested.

Katrina Guillou, Sara Eggesvik and team captain Hali Long are among the notables who’ll once again don the Filipinas shirt after a quarterfinal stint in the Hangzhou Asian Games (Asiad).

Tahnai Annis and Dom Randle are back after skipping the Asiad for club duties while Jess Miclat, who was cut from World Cup consideration, was also named to Torcaso’s 29-player squad list.