AFTER achieving its first step of qualifying in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the Philippines is looking at strengthening the squad to ensure the Malditas are at their best to fulfill the ultimate goal of reaching the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“We have to make sure that we beef up the team when it comes to players based on position. We have positions that we have to strengthen especially the side defenders,” said coach Marlon Maro after the Philippines topped the Group F in Tashkent Friday night.

Tahnai Annis netted her second international goal while Chandler McDaniel produced a late winner as the Malditas claimed their second straight appearance – and the 10th overall – in the continent’s biggest women’s football competition with a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong.

Maro also is hoping to take his squad back to Irvine, California for the final phase of preparation for next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

With qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup also at stake in India, Maro is hoping to be able to work with his entire squad in the buildup to the continental showpiece.

Prior to the qualifiers, the Malditas had a month-long training in Irvine, California after undergoing months of online workouts.

“The next is we have to start early,” said Maro.

The comebacking national women’s coach said that it is important for the Malditas to join their California-based teammates for the training camp.

“My plan next is to make sure that all players in Manila can have their visas. California is the only place that we can train on because it’s open already,” said Maro.

“You can do all sports activities there. And besides, we can have a lot of friendly matches like what happened in this competition. We had five practice matches with different women clubs in California so that helped us a lot to prepare tactically.”

The Philippines has yet to make it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the top six teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will directly qualify for the 2023 global Finals to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

In 2018, the Malditas placed sixth in Jordan – a win short of making it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

After reaching the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the Philippines’ next goal is to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. AFC 0hoto