All news tagged PhilippineWomen'sNationalFootballTeam

Stallion Laguna FC Women are poised to make history as they represent the Philippines in their maiden appearance in the AFC Women’s Champions League this month.

Drawn into Group A for the preliminary stage, Stallion will take on Khovd Western (Mongolia) on August 25, Strykers FC (Guam) on August 28, and ISPE WFC (Myanmar) on August 31 at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, but only the group winner advances to the main group stage in November 2025.

This continental breakthrough is a milestone for Stallion Laguna’s women’s program, which has built momentum at home and is now set to test its mettle on Asia’s biggest stage.

“We arrived here early to acclimatize, know the culture, enjoy the food, and the hospitality of Myanmar,” said head coach Ernie Nierras.

“Winning is a habit, and our girls have been working hard. Make no mistake, we came to win,” Assistant coach Clint McDaniel added.

Team captain Chandler McDaniel echoed the team’s excitement: “We’re super excited to be here. There’s a great vibe in the team, and we want to show what Stallion and the Philippines can do at this level.”

Stallion Laguna boasts a mix of veterans and rising stars, including Chandler and her sister, national team goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, plus Kaya Hawkinson, Isabella Pasion, Charisa Lemoran, and Yanzie Yalong.

With their historic debut, Stallion Laguna aims to carry the Philippine flag with pride and show that Filipino women’s football belongs on Asia’s grandest stage.

The Philippines’ title defense in the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup suffered a setback on Sunday night, August 10, with a 1-0 defeat to Australia U23 at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam.

Australia’s Alana Jancevski scored the lone goal in first-half stoppage time, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by Azumi Oka to slot a left-footed shot past Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.

Both teams now have three points in Group B. The Filipinas previously overwhelmed Timor-Leste, 7-0, in their opener, while Australia kept their semifinal hopes alive with their first win of the tournament.

The Philippines will next face unbeaten Myanmar on Wednesday, August 13, at Lach Tray Stadium in Haiphong, needing a positive result to secure a semifinal berth. Australia U23 will play winless Timor-Leste on the same night.

The Filipinas’ best opportunity came in the 53rd minute, when Hali Long’s header from a Chandler McDaniel corner was denied by Australian keeper Chloe Bell Lincoln.

The result also provided a measure of revenge for Australia, who lost 1-0 to the Philippines in the 2022 edition of the tournament, previously known as the AFF Women’s Championship.

The Philippines women’s national football team kicked off their title defense in emphatic fashion, routing Timor-Leste, 7–0, on Thursday night at Viet Tri Stadium in the 2025 ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup.

With a blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent, the Filipinas wasted no time asserting control. Just two minutes into the match, international debutant Aaliyah Schinaman found the back of the net, setting the tone for a lopsided affair.

Adding two goals in the 7th and 32nd minutes, star striker Quinley Quezada made her mark. Team captain Hali Long contributed a powerful header in the ninth minute. For her dynamic performance on both ends of the pitch, Dionesa Tolentin registered a brace (57’, 64’) and was later named Player of the Match.

The onslaught continued in the second half as another debutant, Adelaide Wyrzynski, scored in the 75th minute to cap the Filipinas’ emphatic win.

“Overall, I think it was pretty good—the goals that we wanted to get. We definitely could have gotten more, so there’s still growing and learning. But I’m really proud of the group we put out today, and all the subs brought great energy,” said Long. 

With the win, the Philippines moved to the top of Group B, ahead of Myanmar, which earlier upset Australia U23, 2–1. The Filipinas will next face Australia U23 on August 10 in a crucial group-stage matchup.

“We don’t take any team lightly. We’re looking forward to reviewing that match with Myanmar and seeing what results we can pull in the next game,” Long added.

The Philippines are aiming to defend the title they first claimed in 2022 on home soil.

The Philippine women’s national football team, known as the Filipinas, begins its title defense in the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup on Thursday night against Timor-Leste at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. local time (8:30 p.m. Manila time).

The Filipinas are eager to start strong after settling in Vietnam last Sunday. The tournament, formerly known as the AFF Women’s Championship, features a new name but the same high stakes. The Filipinas captured the 2022 title at home, with Sarina Bolden scoring eight goals and leading the squad to a 3–0 victory over Thailand in the final.

Despite being heavy favorites against Timor-Leste—who qualified after Singapore’s withdrawal—head coach Mark Torcaso is focused on player development and preparation for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

“I’m not too worried about what the opponents are doing. We’re going to focus on our team and give every young girl a chance in this tournament,” said Torcaso.

Several key players are unavailable due to the tournament falling outside the FIFA window, including Katrina Guillou, Sara Eggesvik, Meryll Serrano, and Sarina Bolden, who is recovering from injury. However, veterans such as Quinley Quezada, Chandler McDaniel, Olivia McDaniel, Hali Long, and Inna Palacios are set to guide a younger squad.

“These veterans are vital—they’ll share their experiences from the AFF, World Cup, and Asian Cup with our younger players,” Torcaso added.

New talents, including Jaycee DeFazio, Adelaide Wyrzynski, Azumi Oka, Aaliyah Schinaman, and several youth program standouts, are poised to make their senior debuts.

As they open their Serenity Cup campaign, the Filipinas are not just aiming to defend their regional crown, but also to build the future of women’s football in the Philippines.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of an Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to oversee preparations for the Philippines’ historic hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup (FFWWC) 2025, which will take place from November 21 to December 7 in Pasig City and Negros Occidental.

Under Administrative Order No. 35, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 30, the IATF will serve as the central coordinating body for all government efforts related to the planning and execution of the global tournament.

“The hosting of the FFWWC 2025 aims to advance the development of futsal in the country, inspire greater sports engagement among Filipinos, elevate the Philippines’ standing in the international sports arena, and generate economic and tourism opportunities through a globally recognized event.”

Led by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the task force will work with national agencies, local government units, and private stakeholders to ensure the successful staging of the event, which will feature the world’s top 16 women’s futsal teams.

According to the order, hosting the FFWWC 2025 aims to promote futsal development in the country, inspire greater sports engagement among Filipinos, elevate the Philippines’ international sports profile, and boost economic and tourism opportunities.

The IATF is responsible for developing and implementing detailed plans and programs—including equipment procurement and logistics—and may form an executive committee for operational oversight.

The PSC is also authorized to form an executive committee to oversee and guide the task force’s operations.

All government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other instrumentalities are directed to fully support the IATF, while local government units and the private sector are encouraged to contribute as the country gears up for its first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup—a historic milestone for Philippine sports.

With a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in their sights, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team is gearing up for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup next year.

Head coach Mark Torcaso expressed confidence in the Filipinas’ readiness following Tuesday night’s tournament draw, which placed the team in Group A alongside host Australia, South Korea, and Iran.

The Asian Cup serves as the main qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, offering six direct berths. To qualify outright, teams must finish in the top two of their group or be among the two best third-placed teams across all three groups.

“We’re really excited by the draw, and I know our players are up for the challenge,” Torcaso said.

 “Every team that has qualified deserves to be here. Every match will be difficult, and we’ll need to stay focused and determined to achieve our goal.”

The Filipinas will open their Asian Cup campaign against world No. 15 Australia on March 1, followed by matches against No. 21 South Korea on March 5 and No. 68 Iran on March 8.

With memories of their 2023 Women’s World Cup qualification still fresh, Torcaso remains optimistic: “We’re excited for the opportunity—playing against the host in front of a big crowd, and facing South Korea and Iran in the group.”

The Philippine women's national football team will play an intersquad exhibition game at the Mall of Asia Football Field on February 25 as part of their nine-day training camp in Manila.

The Filipinas' home training camp kicks off a busy 2025 as they get ready for three important competitions.

The exhibition game featuring the national team will take place at the recently finished MOA Football Field, giving Filipino supporters a unique chance to watch the team at home.