The 2022 Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers will be more thrilling this time with the Philippine Women’s National Football Team present in the action.
One of the Asia’s most prestigious football tournaments, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is slated this month in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Led by team captain and goalkeeper Inna Palacios, the 22-women roster is comprised of 2019 Southeast Asian Games booters Sara Castañeda, Camille Rodriguez, Hali Long, and Alisha del Campo.
The football team, who are part of Group F in the qualifiers, will face Nepal on Sept. 18 and Hong Kong on Sept. 24. All games will be played at 6 p.m. Philippine time.
Aside from the champions, the team will be also bannered by Olivia Davies McDaniel and Isabelle Mapanao, who will both make their debut in the women’s seniors squad. Filipina defenders competing in Uzbekistan are Ryley Bugay, Sofia Harrison, Chelo Hodges, Patricia Tomanon, and Tara Shelton.
Midfielders will feature Castañeda, Rodriguez, Tahnai Annis, Malea Cesar, Anicka Castañeda, Charisa Lemoran, Rocelle Mendaño, Jessica Miclat, Alyssa Ube, and Camille Wilson.
Mentored by Marlon Maro, the squad will also have Del Campo and seniors team debutants Arianna Lepage and Chandler McDaniel.
To date, the Philippines currently ranked 68th in the latest FIFA ranking for female players. They finished in sixth place in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup held in Amman, Jordan.IMT Sports
