DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Bella Pasion, who represented the Philippines in the AFC Women’s Under-20 Qualifiers last month, has been included in the final 22-player roster for the first round of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament that starts on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old midfielder is participating in her first tournament with the senior squad after playing three matches for the Under-20 side in Vientiane, Laos early last month.
Pasion scored one of the best goals of the qualifying tournament, firing an unstoppable effort from outside the box in the 2-2 draw against Hong Kong.
“Bella (Pasion) has earned her spot based on merit just like every player on this team,” said Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic.
“She’s put her hand up during the last youth camp and matches with the Under-20s and has shown that she can compete at this level. She’s done really well in the last few days of training.”
Co-captains Tahnai Annis and Hali Long spearhead the squad that also welcomed back Chandler McDaniel, who is seeing action in her first tournament since the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India.
The Filipinas open their campaign against Pakistan at 4 p.m. (7 p.m. in the Philippines) on Wednesday at Hisor Stadium, before taking on host Tajikistan at 7 p.m. (10 p.m. in the Philippines) on Saturday. They wrap up their campaign against Hong Kong at 4 p.m. (7 p.m. in the Philippines) on April 11.
Only the top team in the group will qualify to the second round joining seeded teams Australia, Japan, China, Korea Republic and DPR Korea.
PHILIPPINES SQUAD – FIRST ROUND, AFC WOMEN’S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT
GOALKEEPERS
Kiara Fontanilla
Olivia McDaniel
Inna Palacios
DEFENDERS
Maya Alcantara
Alicia Barker
Reina Bonta
Jessika Cowart
Malea Cesar
Sofia Harrison
Hali Long
Eva Madarang
MIDFIELDERS
Tahnai Annis
Anicka Castañeda
Sara Eggesvik
Bella Pasion
Jaclyn Sawicki
Meryll Serrano
FORWARDS
Sarina Bolden
Carleigh Frilles
Katrina Guillou
Chandler McDaniel
Quinley Quezada
