Filipinas test young players at Asian Games with World Cup in mind

The Philippine women’s football team, also known as Filipinas, during training ahead of the Asian Games 2026. –PFF PHOTO

SCHEDULE: Philippines at Asian Games 2026 football

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine women’s football team is looking to hit two birds with one stone for its campaign in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.

Coach Mark Torcaso is looking to steer the Filipinas past the quarterfinal finish they achieved three years ago while also gaining more progression ahead of next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup campaign.

For the Asian Games, Torcaso has put some of the youngsters to the test with a few notable names unavailable.

“We want to try and be better than we were at the last Asian Games,” Torcaso said on Thursday when the Filipinas held an opening training and meet-and-greet session for fans at Mall of Asia Football Park.

READ: Filipinas unfazed despite being in tough Asian Games bracket

“But we also understand that [the Asian Games is] out of the Fifa window, and we have a lot of players who are unavailable. So we’re going to test a lot of our young players and new players to be ready for the ultimate goal of the World Cup. So we’re really using the Asian Games as an opportunity for our team to grow and to be ready for the World Cup,” he added.

The Philippine women’s football team holds an open training and meet-and-greet session before heading to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Mall of Asia Football Park | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/eiMl24vbSl

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Club commitments overseas have prevented Sara Eggesvik, Jessika Cowart and Chandler McDaniel from taking part in Japan, while another veteran won’t be playing–albeit for a different reason.

Angie Beard sustained an injury recently and was ruled out for the Asian Games, though Torcaso described her pullout as more of a precaution.

“It provides an opportunity for some young players,” Torcaso said. “We’ve got Aiselyn Sia out there that she’s fighting really hard, she just came back from the Asian Cup with the U-17s and she’s going to be fantastic for us, for our program in the long term. But there’s also many other young and new players that we’re looking forward to.”

Hali Long, Olivia McDaniel, Mallie Ramirez and Katrina Guillou are among the notable players who will look to put the Filipinas in a position to compete in the Asian Games, with their campaign set to start on Sunday against Uzbekistan.

Also in the Filipinas’ group are Hong Kong and powerhouse China.

The Filipinas are eyeing a top-two finish or to be the best third-place finisher to reach the quarters.

The sendoff allowed the team to give its fans a chance to see them before flying out for the Asian Games.