A lot at stake in the match.
In just a few days, the Philippine women’s football team will face its biggest challenge in the second round of the AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament when it goes up against 11th-ranked Australia.
The match on Sunday is not only significant given that a win will be a big boost to the Filipinas’ hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it’s also a battle that will see coach Mark Torcaso go up against his home country.
But the Australian tactician isn’t letting that affect how he views the game.
“I'm the Philippines coach now, so that's all I really worry about. I'm not Australian for that day,” Torcaso said during an online media conference.
“It (battling Australia) holds some small significance but my job is to coach this team. With all respect to the Matildas and the Australian audience, my role is to lead this team and be the best that I can as a coach for this team,” he added.
The Filipinas, who won over Chinese Taipei on Thursday, will go up against the Malditas at the massive Optus Stadium in Perth, where fans of the host country are expected to come in droves.
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This, of course, isn’t new to the Filipinas, having faced and defeated New Zealand in its own backyard, 1-0, during the FIFA Women’s World Cup last July.
“I think that (huge crowd) will excite our players. That will get them really pumped up to be the best that they can be,” said Torcaso, who coaches Filipinas midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki and Western United in the A-League Women in Australia.
With the Philippines and Australia both winning their first assignments in Group A, a win would practically seal a ticket to the final round of the tournament.
Filipino fans, of course, will be hoping for another historic moment.
(PM)