Filipinas to set up Manila camp for Asian Games preps

Fresh from the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Philippine women's football team is set to start a camp in Manila late this month to prepare for the Asian Games slated from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China.

Team manager Jeff Cheng said the Under-17 team and the seniors team will convene soon as the Philippines gear up for the Asiad, where the Filipinas are bunched with South Korea, Hong Kong, and Myanmar in Group E.

"The Asian Games is just around the corner. We’re sort of in tight pressure as well but we’re glad coach Mark (Torcaso) has joined us and we start the ball rolling with the camps of the U-17 and the senior team simultaneously in Manila starting at the end of August and all the way to the tournament dates," Cheng said in a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

The development came on the heels of Torcaso's naming as the new Filipinas head coach, taking over the reins from Alen Stajcic who handled the team from October 2021 until the end of their World Cup campaign.

Torcaso, for his part, said he has been following the team for the past two years and said every player will be given equal opportunity. He, however, hasn't released the final lineup or pool for the Asian Games.

"I think this is good because I already know some players first hand. Hopefully, that gives me a step-up with regards to understanding the players and their values but having watched this team for the past two years, for me, it’s about the whole group," Torcaso said.

"Every player will be treated equally. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the A-League or in Western United. Every player will be given an opportunity to prove themselves."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News