AFC Women's Asian Cup
McDaniel is prepared for the Matildas’ fans in the Perth Stadium to be at their loudest, with the custodian relishing the opportunity to once again perform on a big occasion.
“I can imagine it will be a packed stadium and the feeling will be so special,” said McDaniel. “It will be loud and I know I’ll be excited and anxious to just get to the game. Walking out with my teammates representing our country at any stage is so special, no matter who it is.
“As a goalkeeper, you’re in a unique position, the crowd is literally behind you and you can feel every reaction. For me, it’s about reframing that noise as energy rather than pressure.
“I focus on the controllables. My positioning, my communication, my breathing. When you narrow your attention to those small details, the noise becomes background energy.”
“As a goalkeeper, you’re in a unique position, the crowd is literally behind you and you can feel every reaction. For me, it’s about reframing that noise as energy rather than pressure.
“I focus on the controllables. My positioning, my communication, my breathing. When you narrow your attention to those small details, the noise becomes background energy.”
It is a mindset shaped by experience, with McDaniel having already helped the Philippines reach new heights - including winning a historic gold medal at the SEA Games 2025, a defining moment for the 28-year-old.
“Winning the SEA Games was so fun. We were together for such a long time and to win the last game of the tournament was just the outcome we worked so hard for. That’s really the goal for every tournament, to win the last game.
The ‘win the last game’ phrase has become something of a quiet belief within the squad, underlining the resilience and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup holds a particularly personal place in McDaniel’s footballing journey.
“Winning the SEA Games was so fun. We were together for such a long time and to win the last game of the tournament was just the outcome we worked so hard for. That’s really the goal for every tournament, to win the last game.
The ‘win the last game’ phrase has become something of a quiet belief within the squad, underlining the resilience and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup holds a particularly personal place in McDaniel’s footballing journey.
It was at the 2022 edition that she made her starting debut for the Philippines, a moment made even more special by sharing the pitch with her sister, Chandler.
“It was the first time my sister and I competed in an international game together - representing our family and our country. She scored, and I got a shutout. It was really special for our whole family. I hope we can replicate that during this tournament.
“This team has only grown closer and gotten stronger,” added the Stallion Laguna custodian. “We’ve brought in new faces who have added to the competitive spirit. Looking back from when I first joined to now, we’ve gotten better and I hope it continues to trend that way."
“It was the first time my sister and I competed in an international game together - representing our family and our country. She scored, and I got a shutout. It was really special for our whole family. I hope we can replicate that during this tournament.
“This team has only grown closer and gotten stronger,” added the Stallion Laguna custodian. “We’ve brought in new faces who have added to the competitive spirit. Looking back from when I first joined to now, we’ve gotten better and I hope it continues to trend that way."
At Australia 2026, the Filipinas will once again test themselves against the continent’s elite and for McDaniel, the target is clear.
“We want to win the last game of the tournament. We want to continue to make history. We want to be on the plane to Rio (FIFA Women’s World Cup) next summer and we’ll do everything we can to get there.
“We stay in the game and we stay together. We will not stop until we can’t anymore. We have the ability to surprise and shock other teams. I’d say my superpower is being a wall. My job is to give my team security and confidence. When they look back at me, I want them to feel calm and trust that I’ll be there.”
“We want to win the last game of the tournament. We want to continue to make history. We want to be on the plane to Rio (FIFA Women’s World Cup) next summer and we’ll do everything we can to get there.
“We stay in the game and we stay together. We will not stop until we can’t anymore. We have the ability to surprise and shock other teams. I’d say my superpower is being a wall. My job is to give my team security and confidence. When they look back at me, I want them to feel calm and trust that I’ll be there.”
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