Two-time champion Japan will be the biggest challenge of the Philippines in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Cup in Australia.
Known as the Nadeshiko Japan booters, the Japanese side went through the group stage in Group C with the highest number of goals scored with 17, following their 11-0 rout of India.
The moment of truth for the Filipinas will be at 11 a.m. (Manila time) on Sunday when they confront the Japanese side at the Stadium Australia in Sydney.
“It’s a privilege playing against some of the best teams here in Asia and around the world, in this tournament. Like Australia and South Korea, we look forward to this game,” said national coach Mark Torcaso, as the Filipinas arrived in Sydney on Friday, and on Saturday’s pre-match press conference. Their participation is supported by the Philippine Football Federation and the Philippine Sports Commission.
The Nadeshikos will be deadly, with Japanese scoring duo Riko Ueki and Kiko Seike leading in the tournament with four goals apiece, at the end of the group stage.
The prolific Nadeshikos have a head-to-head record of one win, which is an 8-1 victory recorded in the 19th Asian Games quarterfinals back in 2023.
“We look forwards to this game, playing against the best players in the world, and probably one of the best teams in the world. The girls are excited,” said Torcaso.
The winner of the contest will get one of four seats to the the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The loser will advance to the play-ins with the two winners will qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The losers will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
So far, the Australian Matildas have earned their World Cup on Friday with a 2-1 beating of North Korea, to advance to the semifinals. China and Chinese-Taipei are still clashing for their spots, along with South Korea and Uzbekistan on Saturday.
After their 4-0 win over Vietnam, at the end of their campaign, in Group C on Tuesday, Nadeshiko coach Nils Nielsen seeks to make the Nadeshiko’s be a more defensive team against the Filipinas.
“I think we need to show that we can defend as well, not just attack. We’ll spend time on that in the coming days, and also work on improving our transition moments,” said Nielsen.
The Filipinas come into the game with a 1-0-2 win-draw-loss record in Group A.
Last Sunday, Chander McDaniel and Sara Egesvik scored crucial goals in a 2-0 victory over Iran.
This helped the Filipinas claim a third-place finish in Group A for the Philippines, and make it to the quarterfinal round, on a better tiebreak record, as one of the two best-placed, third-placed teams in tournament.
The squad is currently a mix of 2023 World Cup veterans and emerging, younger players.
The veterans are Chandler McDaniel, Hali Long, Olivia McDaniel, midfielders Sara Eggesvik and Jaclyn Sawicki, along with defenders Angela Beard, Jessika Cowart, and Sofia Harrison.
The younger members of the squad includes Ariana Markey and Alexa Pino, along with Jael Marie Guy, Mallie Ramirez, Paige McSwigan and Isabella Pasion.