The Philippine women’s national football team has once again showcased their formidable talent, securing a spot in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. They achieved this remarkable feat by dominating Group G of the qualifying tournament, clinching all nine available points. The Filipinas were undefeated, beating Saudi Arabia (3-0), Cambodia (6-0), and capping it off with a decisive 1-0 victory over Hong Kong on Saturday.
“PFF proudly congratulates the Filipinas for making it to the Asian Cup once more,” stated PFF President John Gutierrez. “This is more than just a qualifier but a strong testament to the dedication and determination of our players, coaches and staff. We commend each and every member of this team for contributing to this milestone. We also thank the Filipino community and fans who gave their overwhelming support to our team. This achievement is fueled by the unity and pride in the hearts of Filipinos everywhere. It really highlights that there is no limit to what our national spirit can achieve.”
The Filipinas demonstrated exceptional grit and strategic prowess throughout the qualifiers. Their final match saw them score early and effectively disrupt Hong Kong’s offense, culminating in a clean sheet—a first for the team in the qualifiers.
The crucial goal came in the fourth minute, courtesy of Chandler McDaniel, who clinically finished a through pass from Alexa Pino. This lone goal, McDaniel’s 11th for the national team, was the result of a swift and coordinated buildup, initiated by her sister, Olivia, from the backline.
“The team had a clear objective: to win all three games and perform to the best of our abilities, and I believe we accomplished just that,” stated McDaniel, who also scored the winning goal against Hong Kong in the 2022 qualifiers, during her post-game interview.
“Playing three games in six days is always challenging, but we showed tremendous heart and proved that we rightfully deserve to return to the Asian Cup next year,” she concluded.
The sister act was a highlight of the match, with Olivia McDaniel making a critical save in the 20th minute, deflecting Hong Kong’s main striker Cheung Wai Ki’s powerful shot on goal. This strong defensive display afforded Hong Kong minimal opportunities in their final third, ultimately securing the Asian Cup berth.
Chandler also expressed her gratitude to the passionate Filipinas fans, remarking, “The fans are always incredibly supportive. We love seeing all the Filipinos come out to support us, and we’re so happy we were able to deliver these three wins and give them the result they deserve.”
The Filipinas will join football powerhouses such as Australia, China, Japan, Korea Republic, and first-time finalist Bangladesh in the main tournament next year in Australia.
Before the Asian Cup, the Filipinas will be back in action in August to defend their title at the ASEAN Women’s Championship in Vietnam, followed by the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.
