Philippines announces youthful squad for Asian Games

The Philippines has announced a youthful 23-player roster for the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. With an average age of 23.0, the squad features several newcomers, including goalkeeper Gaby Rourke and former U-17 defender Aiselyn Sia.

Head coach Mark Torcaso noted that the selection of players with limited international experience is an opportunity to assess long-term depth and prepare for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The decision comes as several players remain unavailable due to the tournament falling outside the FIFA international window.

The squad is anchored by captain Hali Long and veterans such as Olivia McDaniel and Jaclyn Sawicki. Competing in Group G, the Filipinas are scheduled to face China, Hong Kong, and Uzbekistan.