Palacios, Annis lead 23-person Philippine team for AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India

Alen Stajcic, the recently-named head coach of the Philippine national women's football team, has called up 23 names who will make up the country's delegation to the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup, slated for January 20 in India.

Leading the pack are seasoned goalkeeper Inna Palacios and midfielder Tahnai Annis, who played crucial roles in the Filipina booters' stunning performance during the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers last September 2021.

During the qualifying tournament, the Philippines edged both Nepal (2-1) and Hong Kong (2-1) with Annis converting one goal from two matches while Camile Wilson and Chandler McDaniel delivered one each.

Joining the duo are Kiara Fontanilla, Olivia McDaniel, Dominique Randle, Tara-Allison Shelton, Hali Long, Kristen Ryley Bugay, Morgan Brown, Isabella Flanigan, Sofia Nicole Harrison, and Katrina Jacqueline Guillo.

Also called up were Malea Cesar, Kathleen Rodriguez, Jessica Anne Miclat, Anicka Castañeda, Sara Castañeda, Keanne Alamo, Carleigh Frilles, Sarina Bolden, Eva Madarang, Quinley Quezada, and Chandler McDaniel.

"I’ve got a lot of hope and a lot of belief that we can actually achieve the goal,” said Stajcic.

“The players are all aligned and driven to succeed as one and that’s what we have to do to give ourselves every possible chance of getting one of those spots for the World Cup.”

The tournament will run until February 6 as the Philippines is grouped with powerhouse Australia and Southeast Asian rivals Thailand and Indonesia in Group B.

Only the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will qualify to the knockout stage. Five tickets to the prestigious FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 are also up for grabs in the tournament.

—JMB, GMA News