Philippines set to Tokyo Olympics qualifying in women's football

The Women's Senior National Football team of the Philippines, alongside the team staff

The Philippines is set to commence its quest to make the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in women's football.

Grouped alongside Chinese-Taipei, Mongolia, Singapore, and hosts Tajikistan in Group A, they kick off their campaign this afternoon against their fellow ASEAN competitors. Kickoff is scheduled at 4pm.

The Malditas are the second-highest ranked team in the group at 74th overall in the FIFA rankings, with Chinese-Taipei the only other team that has a better ranking at 40th. They are the only two squads in this group ranked in the top 100, as Singapore is 107th and Tajikistan is 119th, with Mongolia unranked due to lack of matches.

In a statement, Philippine Football Federation General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes shares, "The PFF wishes the Philippines Women’s National Team all the best for the 2020 Olympic Football Tournament Asian Qualifiers Round 1. This is the second time that the team will travel to Tajikistan for a qualifier, and we hope that they perform well to advance to the second round."

The last time they were in Tajikistan in a tournament, the Philippines made a breakthrough by earning their way into the AFC Asian Cup for Women, successfully qualifying for the first time in the top tier national competition for women in Asia. Held this April in Jordan, the AFC Women's Asian Cup was the main qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup that is to take place in France next year.

Twenty ladies were called up to comprise the team, most of whom have had national team experience in previous tournaments. Almost all are currently participating in the PFF Women's League, which is set to wrap up its 2018 season later this month.

Analou Amita (DF, OutKast FC)
Martie Bautista (MF, Ateneo)
Mea Bernal (DF, OutKast FC)
Shelah Cadag (FW, University of Santo Tomas)
Sara Castaneda (MF, La Salle)
Shai del Campo (FW, La Salle)
Alesa Dolino (DF, OutKast FC)
Patrice Impelido (MF, Hiraya FC)
Kyla Inquig (MF, Green Archers United)
Charisa Lemoran (MF, University of Santo Tomas)
Hali Long (DF, Green Archers United)
Ivy Lopez (DF, University of Santo Tomas)
Hazel Lustan (MF, University of Santo Tomas)
Irish Navaja (MF, La Salle)
Hannah Pachejo (DF, University of Santo Tomas)
Inna Palacios (GK, Green Archers United)
Kimberly Parina (GK, Far Eastern University)
Camille Rodriguez (MF, Hiraya FC)
Nicole Reyes (GK, University of Santo Tomas)
Patricia Tomanon (DF, Florida International University alumna)

Taking on the head coaching mantle for this squad is Let Dimzon, assisted by Gerard Orcullo, and Melo Sabacan, with Prescilla Rubio serving as the team trainer. Jefferson Cheng is the team manager, with the Quezon-Batangas Regional Football Association General-Secretary and concurrent chairperson for Women's Football in the PFF, Lalaine Bautista serving as the Head of the Delegation.

The complete schedule for the First Round of the 2020 Olympics Qualifying is as follows (kickoff in Manila time):

November 4 vs Singapore (4pm)
November 8 vs Tajikistan (7pm)
November 11 vs Mongolia (4pm)
November 13 vs Chinese-Taipei (4pm)

All of the Filipinas' matches will take place at the Hisor Central Stadium.

The Philippines just needs to finish in the top two of the Group in order to advance to the next round of qualifying.