Filipinas.–PFF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Coach Mark Torcaso believes the Philippine women’s football team is out to prove that its previous win over Chinese Taipei that resulted in a Fifa Women’s World Cup berth was no fluke as the two sides kick off their second round campaign in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Thursday.
The Filipinas eye a crucial result over their Taiwanese counterpart at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia and gain an upperhand in the quest to advance in the third and final phase of qualification for next year’s Paris Games.
“We want to go out there and show the nation, show the world that we’re here to stay, that we are deserving of being at the World Cup previously and hopefully in the World Cup in four years,” said Torcaso in a virtual press conference held on the eve of the match.
It was Chinese Taipei which fell victim to the Filipinas during the 2022 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup in India, getting a win via shootout to gain a historic place in this year’s World Cup.
Olivia McDaniel and Sarina Bolden were the prominent figures in that win.
This time, the Filipinas are eyeing another similar result in the hope of at least getting the best second place slot from the three groups.
Host Australia is favored to top Group A, with Sam Kerr expected to take part in the qualifiers.
The Filipinas also face the Matildas on Sunday before facing Iran on Nov. 1.
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