Game today:
(Icheon Sports Complex)
6 p.m. — Philippines vs Korea
Spiked with members of the celebrated team that pulled off a breakthrough performance in the FIFA World Cup, the Philippine women’s squad tackles powerhouse South Korea tonight in one of two friendlies scheduled in Incheon.
While the game doesn’t have a bearing, Philippine head coach Mark Torcaso swears that playing the Koreans should benefit the Filipinas.
“We want to bridge the gap between the other top Asian teams in particular so for us to become a better team collectively but also better players in regards to their development and their progress,” Torcaso said.
Kick-off is at 6 p.m. as the Filipinas will face the South Koreans for the first time since their last encounter in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. In that particular clash, Korea won, 5-0.
Torcaso said the twin tussles are a great opportunity for the team to test themselves and stay sharp for future competitions.
Their national team’s most recent friendly tournament was back in February at the 2024 Pinatar Cup in Murcia, Spain where it played against Scotland and Finland.
“We played in Pinatar which was a very competitive group with some of the top, top nations in Europe. It was very important for us to continue to build as a national team and we believe that playing against top European teams would help us continue to grow as a team,” Torcaso said.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup core of Sarina Bolden of Newcastle Jets FC, Reina Bonta and Olivia McDaniel of Santos FC and Hali Long and Inna Palacios of Kaya FC-Iloilo are expected to lead the Philippines in Incheon.
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.
Nina Mathelus, Aiselyn Sia, Alexa Pino and Gabrielle Baker, who all came from the country’s under-17 team will reinforce the Filipinas alongside Cathrine Graversen and Charisa Lemoran and United States-based players Alessandrea Carpio and Chayse Ying.
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.
