Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Philippines coach Mark Torcaso is urging his team to become the “annoying” party poopers in their Women’s Asian Cup opener against the Matildas in Perth on Sunday.
In what is shaping up to be a David and Goliath battle, the Philippines are ranked with bookmakers as $26 underdogs against a star-studded Matildas outfit featuring the likes of Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler.
The Matildas defeated the Philippines 8-0 in Torcaso’s second game in charge in 2023, but the contest is set to be much closer this time around.
Torcaso believes his team has grown immensely in recent years, with the Philippines now ranked 41st in the world and believing they can cause an upset against the world No.15 Matildas.
“We fight right to the end, regardless of the scenario in the game,” Torcaso said on Saturday, while talking up the emerging youth that has come through in the last two years.
“We’re just going to be there and be annoying and constantly be pushing, and I know that the girls will fight, and that’s the one thing that I’m proud of with our country.
“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.”
Kerr and Caitlin Foord notched hat-tricks during Australia’s 8-0 demolition of the Philippines in Perth in 2023, with Fowler and Clare Wheeler also getting on the scoresheet.
All four of those players are part of the Matildas’ Asian Cup squad, and there is plenty of other starpower in the form of Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Katrina Gorry, Hayley Raso and Kyra Cooney-Cross, among others.
Torcaso wants his players to embrace the challenge of going up against world-class talent.
“Some of these girls that they’re going to play against, (they are) their role models and their idols that they’ve looked up to for the last 10 years of their careers, or 20 years of their career,” Torcaso said.
“So it’s probably going to be daunting for them, but it’s also going to be exciting.”
Emerging Philippines star forward Mallie Ramirez, who only made her international debut last year, wants to lap up the moment.
“Growing up and seeing these girls like Sam Kerr it’s a big moment for me,” Ramirez said.
“Being able to play against (Clare) Hunt, Carpenter and being a nine, just being able to have that exposure (is big).
“And being young, I’m trying to find my own way through this football journey of mine. I think it’s just really important for me, and I’m excited.”
