Philippines set for Women's World Cup Quest

The Philippines charts its course for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup tonight, as its Senior Women's National Team faces Nepal at the JAR Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers.

Kickoff is slated at 6pm, with streaming available here.

Together with Hong Kong, the three nations comprise Group F, with the top finisher securing a berth into the Asian Cup proper that takes place from January 20 to February 6. The outstanding participant would be joining six others in making the

A win here would allow the Malditas to have a leg up on their East Asian counterparts heading into their matchup six days later. The Philippines is hoping to make their tenth appearance.

The Women's Asian Cup serves as a qualifying tournament for the Women's World Cup, which Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting in 2023. With the field expanded to 32 teams, it enhances the possibility for the Philippines to make its debut in the biggest women's football competition on the planet.

FIFA allocated six automatic spots to Asian sides, with Australia earning one spot as a co-host. The remaining five slots will be earned through their respective finishes at the Women's Asian Cup. The next two best teams from the competition qualify into the Inter-Confederation Playoffs that will determine the last teams in the World Cup field.

In the 2019 Women's Asian Cup, the Malditas fell one game short of making the 2019 Women's World Cup, losing to Korea in the fifth-place game, 5-0. Having been at the cusp, the Philippines is focused on ensuring that they will make it this time.

Buoyed by that achievement, the Philippine Football Federation is optimistic they are able to hurdle the obstacles ahead.

"It’s no secret that our goal is to qualify for the Women’s World Cup," said Araneta. "But qualification to the 12-country Asian Cup is also a priority as it means that the team will be in contention for the five spots for Asia in the Women’s World Cup, and we have to control our destiny so we have to make the most of these chances given to us."

Gastanes adds, "We know how big the stakes are for the Women’s National Team to qualify for the Women’s Asian Cup. The team has already made history in recent years, and now we look forward to their journey to qualify for the Women’s World Cup."

Team Manager Jefferson Cheng shares, "Under the circumstances, we gave the team the best preparation that they can get. We are prepared, in high spirits, and we will do our best to achieve our objectives which is to win both matches in this qualifier and to qualify for the Women’s Asian Cup."

Marlon Maro takes charge of the Senior Women's National Team, with 22 players called up.