Filipinas turn focus to Uzbekistan in bid for Women's World Cup return

MANILA, March 18 ------ After missing out on their first chance to book their ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso has high hopes the team can get the job at the second time of asking. The Filipinas were relegated to a play-in after a 7-0 loss to powerhouse Japan in the AFC Women's Asian Cup quarterfinals.

Rather than dwell on the score line against Japan, Torcaso reminded the Filipinas they still have a shot at a second straight World Cup appearance. "While the score isn't what we want, we have to focus on the next game, which still allows us to go to the World Cup still. And that's the big focus for us is we knew that this game [against Japan] would either get us to the World Cup directly or if we lost, we would have to then focus on the next game," he said at the post-match press conference at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia. "And the great thing is we have a second chance here. And I know we're all extremely determined to make sure that we go to that World Cup. So while it's disappointing we obviously lost that game, we're also very, very positive and determined to make sure we go to another World Cup," Torcaso added.

The Filipinas mentor said they are now turning their focus to the match against Uzbekistan in the hopes of securing their spot through an easier path. The winner of the play-in between the Philippines and Uzbekistan will directly qualify for the Women's World Cup, while the losing team will have to go through a tougher battle in the inter-confederation playoffs. "Literally, I just said to the girls, we can't dwell on this game [against Japan] right now. If it was 1-0 or if it was 5-0, 7-0, we can't focus on that. We've got to focus on the fact that all the hard work that we did in the pre-tournament, in the pre-finals, has put us in a position now where we can fight for a World Cup spot," Torcaso said. "So we reiterated that message that we are in a fantastic position to go to a World Cup. Believe it or not, even if you do lose that game, which we're not going to, there's still another opportunity," he explained.

Torcaso believes their matches against World No. 15 Australia, World No. 21 South Korea and World No 8. Japan prepared them for this crucial battle against Uzbekistan. "It is not publicized enough that the Philippines has played the best three teams in Asia, I believe. We have done a damn good job at doing that. And I think now, we are in a position where we have set ourselves up because of that first game against probably one of the favorites to win this Asian Cup. We have set ourselves up in a position where we can qualify," he said.

In the match against Japan, the Filipinas mentor opted to bench World Cup veterans goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and Katrina Guillou, letting younger players like Nina Meollo and Jourdyn Curran gain precious minutes. "I thought they were outstanding. That's a really pleasing thing for me as a coach. We also had three young players playing in that first half that were also outstanding," Torcaso said. "We also have to understand that we've come off three very tough games and we have to rotate our players, otherwise they won't be ready and okay for every single game in a tournament. So we have got some very sore bodies from the first three games and they needed sufficient rest," he explained.

Last October, the Philippines and Uzbekistan faced off in a friendly in Rizal Memorial Stadium that ended in a 2-2 draw after a late goal from the visiting side. The Filipinas will take on Uzbekistan at the Robina Stadium on Thursday, 11 a.m. Philippine time.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com