The Philippine Women’s National Team enters the final phase of its preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a month long training camp in Sydney, Australia.
Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic has named 29 players to his provisional squad, most of which will be in the pre-World Cup camp set at the Western Sydney Wanderers Complex.
Co-captains Hali Long and Tahnai Annis lead the players on the list which will be trimmed to 23 for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand.
The team got a boost ahead of training camp with FIFA announcing the Filipinas’ jump from No. 49 to No. 46 in the latest rankings. The ranking is the latest historic achievement for the Filipinas who have vaulted from No. 53 at the end of last year.
“We wish the players and staff the best for their final preparatory camp for the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta. “We appreciate all their hardwork and sacrifice for the country. They have our full support.”
PFF general secretary Atty Edwin Gastanes expressed confidence that the Filipinas’ camps and matches arranged by the PFF and the Filipinas management since last year have strengthened the squad ahead of the World Cup.
“Nothing beats having experienced playing against quality opponents and I think the Filipinas have done that over the past few months,” said Gastanes. “It will certainly help them in the Women’s World Cup.”
Filipinas team manager Jeff Cheng hopes the historic Women’s World Cup stint of the Filipinas will be another shining moment not just for the players but for the entire country.
“This is the biggest stage in women’s football and the Filipinas will be shining a spotlight on the country. The team wants to make the country proud that’s why the PFF and the management are doing everything possible to prepare the team,” said Cheng.
Landing in Group A, the Filipinas play their first match against Switzerland on July 21 in Dunedin, New Zealand. They face host New Zealand on July 25 in Wellington, before traveling back to Auckland for the duel with Norway on July 30 to wrap up the group stage.
Players
Goalkeepers
Kiara Fontanilla
Kaiya Jota
Olivia McDaniel
Inna Palacios
Defenders
Maya Alcantara
Alicia Barker
Angela Beard
Reina Bonta
Malea Cesar
Jessika Cowart
Sofia Harrison
Hali Long
Dominique Randle
Midfielders
Tahnai Annis
Ryley Bugay
Anicka Castañeda
Sara Eggesvik
Kaya Hawkinson
Eva Madarang
Jessica Miclat
Isabella Pasion
Quinley Quezada
Jaclyn Sawicki
Forwards
Sarina Bolden
Isabella Flanigan
Carleigh Frilles
Katrina Guillou
Chandler McDaniel
Meryll Serrano