Filipinas coach Mark Torcaso and Mallie Ramirez speak in a pre-match press conference ahead of their campaign in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, February 28, 2026. Handout/PFF-PWNFT via PSC
MANILA – The Philippine women's national football team is ready to take on the daunting challenge of facing the host country in their opening match in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.
This was the assurance made by Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso, as his squad opens their campaign against familiar foes Australia -- one of the favorites to rule the tournament.
READ: Filipinas head coach optimistic of 'talented group' heading to AFC Women's Asian Cup
"Australia is definitely one of the favorites for the competition. To play the host nation on the first match is obviously going to be something pretty overwhelming for everyone, but it's also an opportunity. And that's how we're taking it," Torcaso said at the pre-match press conference in Perth, Australia on Saturday.
"It's an opportunity for all our players to get out on that field, hopefully in front of a nice big crowd and learn and grow as players. So then when these types of scenarios come around again, they've learned from this one and then maybe that helps them grow. So we're just excited by that occasion," he added.
The Filipinas mentor is optimistic of the team's chances, highlighting a good mix of veteran and young players on the squad.
"There's definitely been a lot of change and a lot of progress. We've obviously got some injuries to a couple of key players that aren't here at the moment, but that's enabled us in the last six months to really fast track some of our youth players and their development," Torcaso said.
Mallie Ramirez, one of the younger players on the team who shined at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, said the team will show the same fighting spirit from the regional showcase.
"Whoever we're playing against, whatever is put against us, I think part of what the Filipinas team is, is that we're gonna fight to the end of the whistle, no matter how long it is," she said.
"In the SEA Games, we showcased that a lot. Most of our games were past 90 minutes. So I think that shows that however long we have to play, we're gonna push to the end of the whistle," the 21-year-old added.
READ: Filipinas have 'more to prove' in Asian Cup after breakthrough SEAG campaign
Ramirez is likewise looking forward to competing on a bigger stage against some of her football idols growing up.
"I think obviously like growing up watching football, you see these top world-class players and to be able to play against some of these top world-class players is just an honor," she shared.
"We made history in the SEA Games and I think going into this next tournament, we're going to do the same and we're going to try to make history again," Ramirez added.
MATILDAS' DEPTH
Australia's Sam Kerr celebrates her goal during the Asian qualifying round women's football match between Australia and Iran for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth on October 26, 2023. Colin Murty, AFP/File
Despite the Matildas reportedly missing some key players, Torcaso believes they are still more than capable of posing a tough challenge.
READ: Kerr says only '85 percent' fit for Women's Asian Cup
"If there's two injuries, if there's five injuries, they've still got a really deep group of players and a pool of players that they can bring in from around the world. And we just have to focus on us and that's what we'll do in this tournament is just purely focus on what we need to do," he said.
"Obviously we have to respect every opponent, but there's too many to look for in the Australian team with regards to the quality of players that they've got," Torcaso explained.
With conditions in Australia now similar to the Philippines, the Filipinas mentor said the team is ready for battle on the pitch.
"The weather is good. It's been hot in the last couple of days, but we've also spent 23 days in Manila and in the Philippines. So we've been able to acclimatize to what the hot conditions would be like here in Perth... I think we're pretty well adjusted to the climate, but more importantly, the time as well," Torcaso said.
The Filipinas mentor said the squad is well prepared for their next tour of duty, following their historic gold medal feat at the SEA Games.
"Yeah obviously we're fortunate enough to play five games in the SEA Games in December and it served as a really good purpose for our preparations for the Asian Cup," Torcaso said.
"So we were lucky enough to play in a major tournament which was able for our girls to feel what a competition would be like with the format of potentially what the Asian Cup would look like" he added.
Torcaso believes they have a good chance to qualify again for the FIFA Women's World Cup, after a historic campaign in the 2023 edition.
"I know that the girls will fight. And that's the one thing that I'm proud of with our country. It's not just the players, but it's all our staff. It's all the people at home, that's them. That's the way they are," he said.
"And it's definitely going to be a special occasion, but we're going to be here to try and spoil the party, not just for Australia, but for South Korea and obviously for Iran as well. We want to go to the next stage and we're going to do everything possible to do that," Torcaso shared.
The Filipinas will take on hosts Australia on Sunday, 5 p.m. at the Perth Stadium.
RELATED VIDEOS: