THE Filipinas are looking forward to playing against their idols, as they face the toughest squad of the tournament in host Australia to start the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The Nationals will take on the big guns of the world No. 15 Matildas led by Chelsea star striker Sam Kerr to open the tournament on Sunday, 5 p.m., both local and Manila time, at the Perth Stadium.
A proof of Australia’s might is in its previous game against the Philippines where the Matildas routed the Filipinas, 8-0, with Kerr scoring a hat trick and Mary Fowler also contributing a goal during the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Perth, as well.
Although the Filipinas will be out to win, coach Mark Torcaso is also mindful about the daunting task staring them in the face to open the tournament.
“The reality is, as I said before, Australia is definitely one of the favorites for the competition. To play the host nation on the first match is obviously going to be something pretty overwhelming for everyone, but it’s also an opportunity,” said Torcaso during Saturday’s prematch press conference.
“And that’s how we're taking it. It's an opportunity for all our players to get out on that field, hopefully in front of a nice big crowd and learn and grow as players. So then when these types of scenarios come around again, they’ve learned from this one and then maybe that helps them grow.
“So we’re just excited by that occasion. And I know the girls are pretty excited by the occasion as well. Some of these girls that they’re going to play against their role models and their idols that they’ve looked up. It’s probably going to be daunting for them, but it's also going to be exciting. And even for me as a coach, it's going to be exciting for all our staff as well.”
Filipinas' lesson plan
Philippine striker Mallie Ramirez, one of the youngest players on the team who has been impressive during recent matches, echoed the statements of Torcaso, as she will be pitted against top defenders such as Ellie Carpenter and Clare Hunt, both of whom are playing professionally in England.
“So obviously, growing up and seeing these girls like Sam Kerr, obviously a big moment for me being able to play against Hunt, Carpenter, just being able to have that exposure and being young, I'm trying to find my own way through this football journey of mine. I think it's just really important for me and I'm excited,” she said.
At the end of the day, Torcaso said the Filipinas are focusing on themselves, seeing the match as a chance to learn.
“We just have to focus on us and that's what we’ll do this tournament, just purely focus on what we need to do,” he stressed.
“We’ll be disciplined. We’ll be pretty intelligent. We’ll be compact. We’ll be passionate. So yes, our focus is purely on us. And yes, obviously we have to respect every opponent, but there’s too many to look for in the Australian team with regards to the quality of players that they've got.”
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