AT A GLANCE
The Philippine women’s national football team's final 23 roster led by co-captains Hali Long and Tahnai Annis has been unveiled ahead of the country’s historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup debut on Sunday, July 9.
The Philippine women’s national football team's final 23 roster led by co-captains Hali Long and Tahnai Annis has been unveiled ahead of the country’s historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup debut on Sunday, July 9.
The Philippine national women's football team. (Photo from PFF)
The 23 players were named by coach Alen Stajcic as the Filipinas wrap up their four-week training camp in Sydney, Australia.
From 29 players, the Nationals were trimmed down to 23 who will then be tangled with higher ranked opponents in Norway (No. 12), Switzerland (No. 20) and host nation New Zealand (No. 25).
“We congratulate the 23 players who were selected for the Philippines in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and express our gratitude to the players who have committed and sacrificed to make themselves available throughout the selection process,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
“We wish our team all the best as they head to New Zealand for the final days of their preparation, before the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes.
“The next weeks will be the culmination of a year and a half of hard work, dedication and sacrifice by every member of our Team,” said team manager Jefferson Cheng. “This group of 23 represents the best of us, the best of the indomitable Filipino spirit, and I am excited to see them make all of us even prouder.”
The Philippines secured its first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup, male or female, when Sarina Bolden fired the go-ahead penalty kick in their dramatic win over Chinese Taipei in the Asian Cup in India in Jan. 2022.
Per the PFF, the team is set to fly out to New Zealand on Monday morning, July 10, to continue its final preparations for the biggest football showpiece.
The Stajcic-coached Filipinas headed to Australia last month for the hardest four weeks of their lives and will then set their base camp in Auckland once the tournament kicks off.
The acid test begins a few days earlier for the Philippines, though, as it is set to face world No. 3 Sweden in an unofficial friendly match which is meant to simulate the tall task they have ahead of them.
Goalkeepers:
Kiara Fontanilla, Kaiya Jota, Olivia McDaniel
Defenders:
Alicia Barker, Angela Beard, Reina Bonta, Malea Cesar, Jessika Cowart, Sofia Harrison, Hali Long, Dominique Randle
Midfielders:
Tahnai Annis, Ryley Bugay, Anicka Castañeda, Sara Eggesvik, Quinley Quezada, Jaclyn Sawicki
Forwards:
Sarina Bolden, Isabella Flanigan, Carleigh Frilles, Katrina Guillou, Chandler McDaniel, Meryll Serrano
Reserves:
Inna Palacios, Maya Alcantara, Isabella Pasion
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