"Obviously we're the underdog and everyone knows we're the underdog in the group," Stajcic said on Sunday of his team’s hopes. "So everything's going to be tough for us.

 

"Every time we go on the pitch we'll be the underdog, regardless of what's happened in the game before. Success for me will be for the players to walk on the pitch on any given day and know that there are in with a chance of winning the game."

Olivia McDaniel, who made a pair of penalty saves against Chinese Taipei as the Philippines sealed their place at their first FIFA Women’s World Cup, has been selected in goal alongside Kiara Fontanilla and Kaiya Jota.

 

The team’s joint-top scorers Sarina Bolden and Quinley Quezada will lead the attack with Annis and recent recruit, Australia-born Angela Beard, among those picked in midfield and defence respectively.

“The next weeks will be the culmination of a year and a half of hard work, dedication and sacrifice by every member of our team,” said team manager Jefferson Cheng in a statement on the Philippines Football Federation’s official website.

 

“This group of 23 represents the best of us, the best of the indomitable Filipino spirit, and I am excited to see them make all of us even prouder.”

 

Stajcic and his squad have been preparing for the tournament in Sydney and will depart for Auckland on Monday, 11 days before their opening game.

Goalkeepers: Kiara Fontanilla, Kaiya Jota, Olivia McDaniel
Defenders: Alicia Barker, Angela Beard, Reina Bonta, Malea Cesar, Jessika Cowart, Sofia Harrison, Hali Long, Dominique Randle
Midfielders: Tahnai Annis, Ryley Bugay, Anicka Castañeda, Sara Eggesvik, Quinley Quezada, Jaclyn Sawicki
Forwards: Sarina Bolden, Isabella Flanigan, Carleigh Frilles, Katrina Guillou, Chandler McDaniel, Meryll Serrano