The Philippine women’s national football team is pumped up as it plays a pair of friendly matches against South Korea on 5 and 8 April at the Icheon Sports Complex.
Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso said facing an elite squad like South Korea will keep them sharp in major international competitions in the future.
Torcaso already released his 29-woman pool led by Sarina Bolden of Newcastle Jets FC, Reina Bonta and Olivia McDaniel of Santos FC and Hali Long and Inna Palacios of Kaya FC-Iloilo.
“It is always a great opportunity to have our Filipinas come together and rally behind our Asian counterparts or one of the top national teams like South Korea. We welcome this invitation as we also welcome the new faces of the Filipinas in our national team,” Torcaso said.
“Matches like these prepare our players for major events next year and continue to develop our team and players.”
The last time both sides faced each other was in the elimination round of the 19th Asian Games in China last September in which the Koreans dominated the Filipinas, 5-1.
Making their debut for the No. 39 Filipinas are Nina Mathelus, Aiselyn Sia, Alexa Pino and Gabrielle Baker, who all came from the country’s under-17 team.
Their inclusion in the team is part of their preparation for the 2024 AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup in Indonesia from 6 to 19 May.
National team veterans Catherine Graversen and Charisa Lemoran will also see action for the first time in five years while United States-based players Alessandrea Carpio and Chayse Ying will also be joining the fray.
The Filipinas will be able to get more matches after participating in the 2024 Pinatar Cup last February in Murcia, Spain.
Also joining the crew are FIFA Women’s World Cup veterans Quinley Quezada, Katrina Guillou, Sara Eggesvik, Tahnai Annis, Angela Beard, Jessika Cowart and Sofia Harrison.
Completing the Filipinas’ 29-woman pool are Nina Meollo, Inna Palacios, Maya Alcantara, Rhea Chan, Natalie Oca, Camille Sahirul, Isabella Bandoja, Carleigh Frilles and Chandler McDaniel.
