Filipinas goal-keeper Olivia McDaniel in action against Australia in the AFC Women's Asian Cup, March 1, 2026 at the Perth Stadium in Perth. PFF-PWNFT
MANILA -- The Philippine women's national football team is gearing up for another tough challenge at the AFC Women's Asian Cup, when it returns to the pitch on Thursday.
The Filipinas will face South Korea for their next assignment, a team that is coming off a dominant 3-0 win over Iran on Monday.
The Taeguk Ladies boast of a lineup that includes veterans Ji So-yun and Kim Hye-ri, who was one of the goal scorers in the Iran match.
For Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso, the 1-0 result against hosts and powerhouse Australia gave them a preview of what to expect against South Korea.
READ: Despite narrow loss, Filipinas take pride in valiant effort vs. Australia
"South Korea is probably the strongest team in the competition. So we're looking forward to the challenge. Obviously we had a very tough game against the hosts in the first round," he said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
"Now we're, our direction looks towards South Korea. We'll experience obviously, one of the best, strongest teams in the competitions so we have to be at our best. I know our girls will be ready for the challenge," Torcaso added.
Jael-Marie Guy said the Filipinas are looking forward to facing another strong team in South Korea, after their clash against Australia.
"I think we performed the best we could for Australia and it helped set us up to play well against South Korea. So we're all very excited," she shared.
"I think that the team individually and collectively, we're all just gonna work our hardest and complete the roles that we know. I think that our preparation before this tournament and has really helped us prepare for what's to come. I think like what coach Mark said, we expected the hard competition, and mentally and physically we're ready for it," Guy explained.
READ: Filipinas head to Gold Coast, look to bounce back vs. South Korea
While Torcaso expects another tough match against South Korea, he remains determined to get the team through the group stage.
"We played South Korea about a year and a half ago in two friendlies. We really respect them as an opponent. They've got world class players and we're really focusing on us and what we can do... I think as I said from the start, we're really determined to get out of the group because it could set us up to go to another World Cup," he said.
"You know Iran really put up a good fight, a disciplined fight against South Korea. I think we have to do a very similar thing as well. But we're also determined to get on the score sheet and hopefully put a goal away or two as well," Torcaso added.
The Filipinas mentor reiterated the importance of the AFC Women's Asian Cup to helping develop their younger players for higher level competition.
"All these games are about growth for our players, which has a big impact on every single young girl who wants to play football in the Philippines. So we just wanna perform at the highest level as best as we can. So we change the dialogue that we want more and more girls to play football in the Philippines. We're doing a fantastic job at the moment with regards to that," Torcaso said.
The Filipinas will face South Korea at 11 a.m. at the Gold Coast Stadium in Robina, while Australia and Iran will clash 5 p.m. in the same venue.
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