NEWS
Philippines - January 08, 2025 01:00Update from the PhilippinesPFF: new coach and roster announcedCourtesy: Philippines Football Federation


PFF Announces Women’s National Futsal Team Roster and New Head Coach Ahead of AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has unveiled the 14-woman roster that will represent the country in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers, scheduled to take place at the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from January 11 to 19, 2025.

The team comprises both local and international players, carefully selected during the talent identification camp held from December 26 to 30, 2024, in Manila. The PFF aims to build a highly competitive team ready to face top-tier opponents worldwide, including their upcoming Group C rivals: Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Australia. The final squad has been training since January 2, 2025.

The roster includes the following players: Sheen Borres, Shelah Mae Cadag, Sara Castañeda, Judy Connolly, Alisha Del Campo, Isabella Flanigan, Cathrine Graversen, Katrina Guillou, Samantha Hughes, Rocelle Mendaño, Vrendelle Nuera, Regine Rebosora, Kayla Santiago, and Dionesa Tolentin.

The federation has also appointed a new head coach, Rafa Merino Rodriguez, to lead the team. The Barcelona-born coach holds a UEFA Pro License (Level 3) and an FA Level 1 in Football (England). He also possesses expertise in sports coaching, earned at Florida Universitaria in Valencia, Spain. Merino has managed several first-division futsal clubs, including Pescados Rubén Burela FS and Barcelona’s Esportiu Rubí FS.

“I am honored to be appointed as the new head coach of the Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team. I look forward to working with these players to build a competitive, unified squad ready to excel in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. We are focused on achieving success in the upcoming tournament,” said Coach Merino.

The Asian Cup qualifiers will follow a centralized league format, with teams divided into four groups—three consisting of five teams and one comprising four. The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed team overall, will advance to the finals in China later this year. The three podium finishers in the final round will secure their spots in the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.

Notably, the Philippines has already earned automatic qualification for the World Cup, which will be hosted in the country from November 21 to December 7, 2025.

The PFF is honored that the country has been selected by FIFA as the first-ever host of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup. The federation is dedicated to ensuring the successful participation of its Women’s National Futsal Team at the inaugural event. This is an important milestone that will elevate Philippine futsal on the global stage and inspire thousands of aspiring futsal players in the country.

“The Asian Cup Qualifiers will be a pivotal moment for our women’s futsal national team, as their performance here will set the tone for our campaign in the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup,” said PFF President John Gutierrez.
He continued, “In terms of our preparation, I couldn’t be happier with this team we built, headed by our new head coach, Rafa Merino. I think we’ve assembled the best players we can, dedicated players to play for the country and nothing else. As far as preparation goes, I am very optimistic.”
“More than just the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, we would also like to make our mark in the entire Asian Region. That is why we are treating this AFC Women’s Futsal qualifier very seriously by fielding the strongest team possible,” Gutierrez stated.

The Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team will face Kuwait in their opening match on January 11, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. (PHT).

Below is the complete schedule for the team’s Asian Cup Qualifier campaign:

January 11, 2025 – Philippines vs. Kuwait | Saturday, 9:00 PM
January 13, 2025 – Philippines vs. Uzbekistan | Monday, 6:00 PM
January 15, 2025 – Philippines vs. Turkmenistan | Wednesday, 6:00 PM
January 19, 2025 – Philippines vs. Australia | Sunday, 6:00 PM







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
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