PERTH, Australia—The sunny, clear and gusty weather of the southwestern coast of the Australian continent is something that the Philippine national women’s football team has gotten used to in the last couple of days.
With the conditions similar to what they have experienced while preparing back home in Balesin Island and at the SM Sky pitch, the Filipinas are fired up and ready for whatever challenges that the Australian Malditas will throw at them.
Coach Mark Torcaso said this on Saturday, a day before their 5 p.m. match in their opening game the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026.
“Weather’s been good. The girls have been adjusting,” said Torcaso, during a pre-match press conference at the Optus Perth Stadium at Victoria Park Drive in Burswood.
This match marks the Philippines’ second meeting with the Matildas, following the 2023 World Cup. The Filipinas campaign was made possible through the Philippine Football Federation, and the support of the Philippine Sports Commission.
In their last encounter, the Matildas, came up with in an 8-0 with over the Filipinas during the 2023 Olympic Qualifiers.
This time, the Matildas are about their start their first major competitive campaign with skipper
Sam Kerr coming back since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We are excited, getting to the pitch, to be honest. It’s a different journey to get here,” said coach Joe Montemurro, who took over in June 2025, as he still deciding his roster against the Filipinas,
The Matildas boasts of world-class talent, including Kerr, Caitlin Foord, and Mary Fowler.
The Filipinas have momentum of their side, after coming off a gold medal finish at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in late 2025.
The experience of goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel is valued at the defensive end, while the Filipinas, along with Hali Long and Angela Beard on the defensive end, along with returning stars Katrina Guilliou and Carleigh Frilles.
So far, Matildas returnees like Holly McNamara, Michelle Heyman and Alex Chidiac are competing for spots with eight newbies like goalie Chloe Lincoln and Winona Heatley.
Lincoln replaced Teagan Micah, who recently suffered a concussion.