THE FILIPINAS seek to clinch a spot in the FIFA Women's World Cup for the second straight time on Thursday when they face Uzbekistan in Gold Coast, Australia.
The match is at 1 p.m. local time (11 a.m. Manila time) as part of the playoff match in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026.
Head coach Mark Torcaso is determined to put the Philippines back in the World Cup following their historic maiden campaign in 2023 in New Zealand, several players from that squad are still around and were previously mentored by Alen Stajcic.
“Our girls have obviously done a fantastic job to get ourselves to this point to be in contention to qualify for a World Cup again,” said Torcaso on the eve of the match.
“I think the couple of games we played at the start of the tournament were a true reflection of the hardwork that these girls have put in over the last couple of years to give ourselves a chance to go to another World Cup.”
The Philippines last faced Uzbekistan on October 29, with their match ending in a 2-2 draw at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The Filipinas have the higher FIFA ranking at No. 40, with Uzbekistan at No. 50.
Torcaso is banking on the experience that the Filipinas gained over the years, including the World Cup campaign, to get over Uzbekistan.
“We are in that position and we are really determined to make sure that we go again. We've got people that have experienced what a World Cup is about and there are people that we want to try and bring back to the World Cup," he said.
"There are also a number of players and staff that really want to get to a World Cup and we want to feel that same that (they) felt once before. We are determined to get there and we'll do everything possible to make sure we do."
Uzbekistan finished the group stage with a 4-0 victory over Bangladesh last March 9. Uzbekistan was one of the two best third placers of the tournament along with the Philippines to advance the quarterfinals, but lost to South Korea, 6-0.
The loser of the match still has one shot at the World Cup through the inter-confederation playoffs.
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