Filipinas midfielder Sara Eggesvik during their Southeast Asian Games football match against Myanmar at the RCAF Old Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on May 6, 2023. PFF-PWNFT Media/File

MANILA -- The Philippine women's national football team will face a stiff test as they take on South Korea in a pair of international friendlies at the Incheon Sports Complex.

Australian coach Mark Torcaso has called up a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents for the matches on April 5 and 8, as they gear up to take on their regional counterparts.

Notable players like goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, midfielder Tahnai Annis, defender Hali Long, and striker Sarina Bolden -- all of whom played in last year's FIFA Women's World Cup -- are poised to play pivotal roles in these encounters.

The announcement follows the team's recent participation in the 2024 Pinatar Cup in Spain, where they faced stiff competition from higher-ranked European opponents. Torcaso emphasized the importance of playing against European teams.

"We played in Pinatar which was a very competitive group with some of the top, top nations in Europe. It was very important for us to continue to build as a national team and we believe that playing against top European teams would help us continue to grow as a team," he said.

With the goalkeeping responsibilities distributed among McDaniel, Gabrielle Baker, Nina Meollo, and Inna Palacios, and a solid defensive lineup including stalwarts like Long, the team is poised for a formidable showing. In midfield, alongside Annis are Sara Eggesvik, Kaya Hawkinson, and a host of other skilled players.

Torcaso explained the absence of Jaclyn Sawicki and Meryll Serrano, the latter being hobbled with an ankle injury.

"Jackie is quite unwell after the final game with Western United. We made the decision it's best for her not to travel due to her illness," he revealed.

Seeking redemption for past defeats, particularly a painful loss at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the Filipinas are determined to showcase their improvement and competitiveness on the international stage through various exhibition matches against powerhouse teams. 

"We want to bridge the gap between the other top Asian teams in particular so for us to become a better team collectively but also better players in regards to their development and their progress," Torcaso said.

South Korea is currently ranked No. 20 in the world by FIFA, while the Philippines is at No. 39.

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