Filipinas set sights on Uzbekistan clash for World Cup berth after Japan loss

The result may have been lopsided, but for the Philippines women’s national football team, the bigger picture remains intact.

A 7-0 defeat to Japan women’s national football team in the quarterfinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 did little to shake the Filipinas’ long-term objective — securing a return trip to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. Instead, it highlighted a calculated decision by head coach Mark Torcaso to prioritize survival over immediate results.

Facing one of the strongest teams in the world, Torcaso rotated heavily, resting key starters including goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and handing opportunities to less-tested players. It was a move rooted not in surrender, but in strategy — preserving energy for a more decisive battle ahead. 

“Obviously, we don’t want to lose any game but we also have to understand that we are playing against probably one of the best teams in the world,” Torcaso said.

The match itself offered glimpses of promise beneath the scoreline. The Filipinas held firm for long stretches in the first half and nearly entered the break without conceding. More importantly, new faces stepped up under pressure.

“We gave two first starts to two players who were outstanding for the game. Nina Meollo and Jourdyn Curran played their first game for the national team and started. I thought they were outstanding and that is a really pleasing thing for me as a coach. We also had three young players playing in that first half that were also outstanding.”

For Torcaso, development and depth were just as valuable as the result. The experience gained against elite opposition could prove crucial as the team approaches its most important fixture of the tournament.

“While the score isn’t what we want, we have to focus on the next game which allows us to go to the World Cup still,” he continued.

“That is the big focus for us. We knew that this game (against Japan) would either get us to the World Cup directly, or if we lost, we would have to focus on the next game.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

This march, we are both one win away from our target destinations!

PMNFT vs TAJIKISTAN for the AFC ASIAN CUP 2027
2nd Appearance

FILIPINAS vs UZBEKISTAN for the FIFA WOMENS WORLD CUP 2027
2nd Appearance

TALUNIN ANG GITNANG ASIA!
Laban PILIPINAS!

— PMNFT EALA FILIPINAS (@PotekYan11) March 16, 2026

“The great thing is that we have a second chance here and the girls, we are also extremely determined to make sure that we go to that World Cup. While it was disappointing that we lost that game, we are also very positive and determined to make sure that we go to another World Cup.”

That second chance comes in the form of a high-stakes playoff against Uzbekistan women’s national football team, where a victory would seal the Philippines’ place in Brazil. A loss would still leave one final lifeline via an inter-confederation playoff, but the Filipinas are intent on avoiding that longer route.

Fatigue, however, looms as a real factor. The team’s journey across Australia — from Perth to Brisbane, then to Sydney, and back to the Gold Coast — has tested both physical and mental endurance.

“We have to look at the travel that our girls have had since Day One,” Torcaso said. “We started in Perth, we travelled four hours to Brisbane, we had to turn around around five hours in sleep, played two games there (Gold Coast), and then we travel (in Sydney) to play against probably the best team in the competition.”

Despite the grind, there is a quiet confidence within the camp. The Filipinas have already faced Australia, South Korea, and Japan — three of Asia’s elite — and emerged battle-tested.

“It is not publicized enough that the Philippines has played the best three teams in Asia, I believe. We have done a damn good job at doing that and I think now, we are in a position where we have set ourselves up because of that first game against probably one of the favorites to win this Asian Cup. We have set ourselves up in a position where we can qualify,” he said.

“It definitely takes a toll on the players because they have to work extremely hard defensively against these three teams. But now, we have got a really good focus on what we need to do against Uzbekistan. As I said, we have been able to rest a few players because they have been tired in the last couple of games. I know we have got a lot of fresh players coming into this next game against Uzbekistan.”

For the Filipinas, the heavy loss to Japan may look like a setback on paper. But within the locker room, it is viewed as part of a larger plan — one that still leads to the World Cup stage.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!