PHILIPPINES WOMEN HEAD TO NAKHON RATCHASHIMA

The women’s team will be taking part in the second round of the AFC Asian Women’s Cup qualifiers which will begin in Nakhon Ratchashima on March 24, 2008.

Philippines have been placed in a tough group against South Korea, Malaysia and hosts Thailand where they will be hoping to win one of two slots for the AFC Asian Women’s Cup.

“We don’t expect any miracles,” said Smit.

“But this doesn’t mean we won’t be out there fighting. Definitely, this won’t be a vacation for the girls.”

The short preparation time certainly has not been a boost where the difficulty in getting all the players together at the same time has complicate things somewhat.

The core of the players are still there and the likes of strikers Edna Agravante and Angie Empelido, midfielders Natasha Alquiros, Merlou Albano, Marielle Benitez, Samantha Nierras and defender Josephine Luto will be reinforced with the decision to bring in Canada-based defender Mallory Dayot.

“This is no excuse but this is the reality we have to deal with,” added Smit, who last led the national team in the Asian Under-19 tournament in China in 2004.

Philippines will open their campaign against Asian powerhouse South Korea on March 24, then hosts Thailand on March 26 and then against Malaysia two days later.

“We hope to limit South Korea’s goals to a minimum and hopefully launch some counterattacks of our own. The same strategy will be used against the Thais. I believe we can beat Malaysia though,” said Smit.

PHILIPPINES WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM

GOALKEEPERS: Melissa Marquez, Jeanet Mercado

DEFENDERS:Natasha Alquiros, Marigen Arielle, Josephine Luto, Mallory Dayot, Ruchell Latap, Stephanie Pheasant

MIDFIELDERS: Merlo Albano, Marielle Benitez, Pauline Cuenca, Alicia dela Pena, Rachelle delos Reyes, Leia Flameno, Patrice Impelido Bertha Lina, Maria Claris Lazaro, Dori Mendaza, Samantha Nierras, Desiree Saligao

STRIKERS:Edna Agravante, Chantal Esperanza, Angeline Impelido