Squad list is out for the Filipinas' Olympic Qualifiers

Photo credits: Philippine Women's National Football Team

The road to Paris starts in Dushanbe, Tajikistan as the Philippine Women's National Football Team announced its 21-woman squad who will be competing for their spot to the second round of the 2024 Olympics Qualifiers.

Hoping to make more history for Philippine Football, the Filipinas are fielding a strong lineup, almost similar to what could be their lineup for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand.

Bannered by their team captain Tahnai Annis, she'll be joined by Anicka Castañeda, Sara Eggesvik, Carleigh Frilles, Jaclyn Sawicki, and Meryll Serrano in the midfield. Shotstoppers Kiarra Fontanilla, Inna Palacios, and Olivia McDaniel also joins the fray.

The backline will be picked from Maya Alcantara, Alicia Baker, Reina Bonta, Jessika Cowart, Malea Cesar, Sofia Harrision, Hali Long, and Eva Madarang while the Philippines are spoilt for choices on attack with current Filipinas' top goalscorer Sarina Bolden, Katrina Guillou, Quinley Quezada, and the returning Chandler McDaniel completing the list. Compared to their 2023 Pinatar Cup squad, the Filipinas are only missing the services of Dominique Randle and Isabella Flannigan.

The Philippines will be playing against Pakistan to open their qualifying campaign on the 5th of April before taking on the hosts Tajikistan on the 8th of April. They'll cap off their qualifying rounds with a match against Hong Kong on the 11th of April.

Only the first-ranked teams in each group will progress to the next round of qualifiers where the continental giants Australia, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and China will be waiting for them.