“To another level higher”: Mark Torcaso lifts Filipinas’ intensity ahead of AFC Cup

The Philippine women’s national football team, popularly known as the Filipinas, is preparing for its next major international challenge—the prestigious Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup in Perth, Australia. Coming off a historic campaign at the Southeast Asian Games, where the team captured widespread attention for its skill, resilience, and tactical discipline, the Filipinas are eager to build on that momentum and further establish themselves as a competitive force on the continental stage.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has confirmed that the team will undertake a three-week training program, designed to refine their tactical cohesion, enhance fitness levels, and test themselves against high-quality opposition. The training will span multiple venues, starting with sessions at the Mall of Asia Sky Pitch in Manila from February 1 to 5, followed by the Rizal Memorial Stadium from February 17 to 22. In between, the squad will conduct a closed camp at Balesin Island in Quezon from February 6 to 15. Balesin boasts a FIFA-certified pitch and world-class facilities, providing an ideal environment for high-level preparation and recovery.

During their time in Manila and Balesin, the Filipinas will face a combination of international competition and professional club sides, giving the coaching staff opportunities to test tactical variations and evaluate players under match-like conditions. This approach is aimed at ensuring the squad arrives in Australia fully prepared, both mentally and physically, for the rigors of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

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Head coach Mark Torcaso expressed optimism about the team’s preparation and highlighted the importance of raising standards after the SEA Games. He recently announced a 26-woman training pool, which includes seasoned veterans such as Hali Long, Sara Eggesvik, and Olivia McDaniel, alongside promising young talents eager to make an impact.

👉 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER 👈

Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso is calling up 3⃣2⃣ players to this month’s training camp in preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

🆕 Jourdyn Curran
🔙 Isabelle Mapanao

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— Philippine Women’s National Football Team (@PilipinasWNFT) February 4, 2026

“The players understand that we are obviously going to a competition that is much tougher than the SEA Games. So now it’s about lifting our intensity, our quality, our fitness levels, our speed to be of another level higher than that and obviously to achieve the opportunity to go to another World Cup,” Torcaso said in a media interaction.

However, the Filipinas will be without the country’s all-time highest goalscorer, Sarina Bolden, in the training pool for now. Bolden is currently recovering from an injury, and while she has made significant progress, the coaching staff is taking a cautious approach to ensure she has enough time to regain full fitness.

“We are going to give her every single chance to be part of it. We aim to get her on the field. She’s got a very special presence in our team all the time,” Torcaso added.

The rigorous training program is designed to balance intensity with recovery, ensuring that the players remain sharp while avoiding burnout. With world-class facilities at Balesin Island and careful management of workloads, the Filipinas will have the perfect environment to prepare for one of Asia’s most competitive tournaments.

After completing their camps in Manila and Balesin, the team will fly to Perth, Australia, where they will compete against some of the continent’s top national teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The tournament represents both a test and an opportunity: a chance to measure themselves against Asia’s elite and to further stake the Philippines’ claim as an emerging football nation in the region.

With the combination of experienced leaders, rising stars, and a structured preparation plan, the Filipinas are determined to build on their SEA Games success and make a strong showing at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Fans and supporters will be watching closely as the team embarks on this next chapter in its journey, aiming to inspire a new generation of footballers across the country.

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