Some big names are notably absent.
Newly installed Philippine women’s national football team coach Mark Torcaso looks determined to hit the ground running, calling up 28 Filipinas for a training camp in Manila a little over a week after his appointment.
Headlining the 28-strong group will be FIFA Women’s World Cup holdovers Hali Long, Jaclyn Sawicki, Sofia Harrison, Kaiya Jota, and Anicka Castañeda, and reserves Inna Palacios, Maya Alcantara, and Isabella Pasion. Rounding out the team is a mix of players who have played for the Filipinas in past tournaments, like Camille Rodriguez and Alisha Del Campo, and young bloods such as Zoe Hudson.
See all 28 call-ups here:
The call up of 12 newcomers is in line with Torcaso’s vision of bringing in more players for national team duties as he looks to instill a “mentality of togetherness” and of wanting “to fight for each other and for our nation.”
Torcaso will have less than a month to whip up a formidable team for the Asian Games in late September. The Filipinas, who recently rose to a highest-ever no. 44 spot in the FIFA women’s world rankings, are looking maintain momentum going into the continental spectacle, where they will be playing in Group E alongside Asian powerhouse South Korea, Southeast Asian contender Myanmar, and perennial rivals Hong Kong.
A month later, the Filipinas will continue their pursuit of an Olympic spot as they take on Australia, Chinese Taipei, and Iran in the Olympic qualifier set to start on October 26.