Daven Tamayo

Coach Mark Torcaso: Loss in friendly vs Chinese Taipei still a 'good preparation game' for Asian Cup qualifiers

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749054761839_51A7021.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Action between the Philippine women&#x27;s national football team and Chinse Taipei in a friendly, June 3, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. PFF-PWNFT Media"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Action between the Philippine women&#x27;s national football team and Chinse Taipei in a friendly, June 3, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. <em>PFF-PWNFT Media</em></span></span></span>MANILA, Philippines – Coach Mark Torcaso saw the silver linings in Filipinas&#x27; tough loss against Chinese Taipei in a friendly match on Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.</div><p>The Philippine women&#x27;s national football team suffered a 0-1 defeat, dealt ultimately by Chinese Taipei&#x27;s Saki Matsunaga who capitalized on a fumble by Sara Eggesvik in the 27th minute, scoring a goal on a short clearance enough for a narrow triumph.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/6/3/football-filipinas-lose-against-chinese-taipei-in-friendly-2126"><strong>READ: Football: Filipinas lose against Chinese Taipei in friendly<br/></strong></a></div><p>But the Filipinas kept pressing in the last 35 minutes, trying to penetrate the visitors&#x27; defenses -- to the delight of the national team tactician.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s always tough losing any game in any sport. But you probably saw the character of what our girls are actually about in that last 35 minutes. And I can&#x27;t doubt the fight in these girls,&quot; said Torcaso.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1232564674891471%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Still, he belives that this bump was just part of the process, keeping them grounded as part of the preparations for a bigger challenge.</p><p>They will participate in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Cambodia, eyeing another shot for football glory at the continental level.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/5/21/3-newcomers-join-filipinas-for-manila-camp-0112"><strong>READ: 3 newcomers join Filipinas for Manila camp<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;It&#x27;s not the result, obviously, that we would want, because we want to win every single game. But it&#x27;s a good preparation game for our Asian Cup qualifiers. And that&#x27;s why we&#x27;re really looking forward to going to Cambodia.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/6/4/sarina-bolden-still-uncertain-for-asian-cup-qualifiers-due-to-injury-1911"><strong>READ: Football: Sarina Bolden still uncertain for Asian Cup qualifiers due to injury<br/></strong></a></div><p>Although for now, they are at risk of not playing with Sarina Bolden, who is undergoing rehabilitation for an injury, as bared by Torcaso himself after the match.</p><p>&quot;She is going through some rehabilitation at the moment. Hopefully, she will be okay,&quot; said Torcaso.</p>

<p>"It's not the result, obviously, that we would want, because we want to win every single game. But it's a good preparation game for our Asian Cup qualifiers."</p>

"It's not the result, obviously, that we would want, because we want to win every single game. But it's a good preparation game for our Asian Cup qualifiers."