Philippines Women's World Cup 2023 squad: Who's in & who's out?

Olivia Davies-McDaniel is the number one choice between the sticks for the Philippines. Her heroics against Chinese Taipei in the penalty shootout has catapulted her to a demi-god stature in her nation and will once again be entrusted with the responsibility of shot-stopping in Australia.

Her form will be crucial to the Philippines' chances as she is expected to have a busy time under the crossbar.

Meanwhile, Kiara Fontanilla, who plies her trade with Central Coast Mariners, is likely to be the backup goalkeeper with Inna Palacios as the third choice.

Stajcic likes to stick to four defenders in defence. Alicia Barker and Malea Cesar are the two options at right-back. The latter is 19 years old but already has 28 caps for the national team, highlighting her immense potential.

Meanwhile, Hali Long is the most experienced defender in the backline and has 71 international caps. She might be partnered with Maya Alcantara at the heart of the defence.

Whereas Sofia Harrison is likely to slot in at left-back, with Dominique Randle as the other option.

It is mostly four players at the centre of the park for Stajcic. However, sometimes the coach also opts to have two defensive midfielders and a bank of three behind the striker.

Tanhai Annis and Sara Eggesvik are the two most trusted players who are the pivots of the team. Both play in Europe for KIL/Hemne and Por/KA, respectively. Jaclyn Sawicki is also a potent option in midfield, as the 30-year-old has plenty of experience and switched her nationality from Canada to represent Philipines in 2021.

Red Star Belgrade winger Quinley Quezada is most likely to occupy the right flank, whereas Isabella Flanigan can take the place on the left.

Meanwhile, Stabaek's Meryll Serrano is the x-factor in this team, who has four goals in eight appearances. She can be used as a number 10 as she is to be prolific in the attacking third.

Carleigh Frillies and Sarina Bolden are the two preferred strikers for Stajcic. Fillies was born in the United States but has represented the Philippines right from the age group teams since 2016. She has 12 goals in 33 caps and is a crucial figure in the squad.

Meanwhile, Bolden, also born in the United States, caught the attention of Richard Boon, former Philippines national team coach, and convinced her to join the Filipinas. She has made 33 appearances so far and has 20 goals.

Katrina Guillou is another striker who has the potential to be a difference-maker. She sent a highlight reel from her college days to the Philippine Football Federation before the 2022 Asian Cup, which got her selected for the national team. Since joining the team, she has scored 10 goals in 25 appearances.

Stajcic mostly set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with McDaniel between the sticks.

Long and Alcantara are likely to be the two centre-backs with Barker and Harrison at right and left-back positions, respectively.

Annis and Eggesvik are the two preferred defensive midfielders. Quezada and Flanigan will likely be the two wingers, with Guillou as the number 10.

It will be a fight between Frilles and Bolder for the striker's position up front.

Philippines XI (4-2-3-1): McDaniel, Barker, Long, Alcantara, Harrison; Eggesvik, Annis; Quezada, Guillou, Flanigan; Bower.