The Philippine national women’s football team is tipped to have its hands full when it battles Australia in the second round of the 2024 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The Matildas, who finished fourth in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, are expected to have a massive advantage after moving the venue to the 60,000-seater Optus Stadium in Perth due to soaring demands for tickets.
The Philippines, which is in Group A, will kick off the second round of the Olympic qualifiers against Chinese Taipei on 26 October, the Australians on 29 October and Iran on 1 November.
Only the top team per group and the best runner-up in the second round will advance to the third and final round set in February 2024.
But the Australians will be tough nuts to crack as they will be bannered by veteran Sam Kerr.
Kerr is set to boost the Matildas’ Olympic hopes after leading Chelsea to its sixth Women’s Super League last May.
She also scored 64 goals in 125 matches for the Matildas with her latest at the Women’s World Cup in their 1-3 loss to England in the semifinal.
The Filipinas, however, still have some hope as forwards Sarina Bolden and Chandler McDaniel have three goals each in this qualifying tournament.
They are also coming off a historic campaign in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China after making it as far as the quarterfinal despite having a new head coach in Mark Torcaso and a very limited training time.
To brace themselves for the tough round ahead, the Filipinas will have a training camp in Australia with their 29-woman pool.
Bolden and McDaniel are selected as forwards together with Katrina Guillou, Bella Flannigan, Alisha del Campo and Meryll Serrano.
Making up the midfielders for the Filipinas are Tahnai Annis, Anicka Castañeda, Sara Eggesvik, Kaya Hawkinson, Jessica Miclat, Quinley Quezada, Camille Rodriguez, Jaclyn Sawiki, Natalie Oca and Isabella Passion.
