The Philippine Women’s National Football Team braces itself for its title defense of the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup 2025, which begins next week, August 7.
Begins the Title Defense Against Timor Leste
The PWNFT will begin their aspiration to win back-to-back titles against Timor Leste on August 7, Wednesday, 8:30 PM at the Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho in Vietnam.
The Philippines is in Group B of the tournament and will also battle Australia on August 10 and Myanmar on August 13.
Hosts Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia are on the other side in Group A.
Only the top two teams in each group will move on to the knockout stage or the semifinals.
Olivia McDaniel: “I think our target is plain and simple, we want to win.”
Philippines’ goalkeeper Olivia McDaniels shares that she’s feeling confident that her squad can win back-to-back titles.
When asked if she’s feeling any pressure as they are grouped with heavy hitters like Australia, as well as playing in front of a different crowd, she responded:
“I think there is pressure no matter what we go into, whether it be a friendly or a tournament where we are defending our title like this. I do think we face a bit more of a challenge with Australia and Myanmar in our group, but at the same time, there are many great teams in this tournament, so whoever we were drawn against, it would have been a great match-up for us, and we are excited to take these teams on.”
After winning the title in 2022, in which McDaniels played a vital role during the Finals as she kept Thailand scoreless with a final score of 3-0, the Philippines then played in the AFC Women’s Asia Cup and fought hard enough only to lose in the semifinals. And in 2023, the women’s team played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 27-year-old shared the lesson she learned competing in these major football events:
“I think our team has been through so much and we have persevered through many ups and downs, and we have had the privilege to play in such amazing atmospheres like the World Cup,” she said.
“I think that has made us stronger together as a group, and we are ready to face anything that comes our way.”
Versus Australia: Twice in a Row During Group Stage and Preview of 2026 AFC Women’s Asia Cup?
PWNFT will once again meet the under-23 team of Australia during the group stage, just like in the previous 2022 edition.
About 3 years ago, the Aussies just debuted in participating in the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup, which was formerly known back then as the AFF Women’s Championship.
The Philippines did beat the Australians, 1-0, during their first encounter. But in this year’s competition, many fans and critics claim that the result may be different.
Australia is also in the same group as the Philippines, along with Iran and South Korea, in Group A of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asia Cup.
