More fancied competition awaits the World Cup-bound Philippine women’s futsal team as it tries to earn its way into next year’s Asian Cup by way of a qualifying phase slated in the second week of January.

The Pinay5 were drawn in Group C of the qualifiers alongside host Uzbekistan, Australia, Turkmenistan and Kuwait, and will need to secure a top two finish or possibly a third-place showing to reach futsal’s continental stage for the first time.

“We will arrange games for them to learn [how] other countries in Asia [play],” coach Vic Hermans said after the Philippines came up short of reaching the third-place match of the recent AFF (Asean Football Federation) Women’s Futsal Championship at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

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Uzbekistan is the highest-ranked team in the group at No. 18, while Turkmenistan is at No. 38 and Kuwait No. 61. Australia, meanwhile, recently revived its women’s futsal program.

The Philippines, meanwhile, is ranked 59th in the latest Fifa rankings released last month.

Winless stint

The Asian Cup Qualifiers is among the preparations the Pinay5 hope to use to be ready for the World Cup set for Nov. 21, 2025.

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During the AFF tilt, the Pinay5 drew Myanmar, 2-2, lost to No. 6 Thailand, 7-0, and No. 11 Vietnam, 6-1, before suffering a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Indonesia, 2-1, that put an end to their campaign.

Team captain Isabella Bandoja of Tuloy FC emerged as the Pinay5’s best scorer, accounting for two of the four goals during the competition.

Vietnam ruled the six-day event after defeating Thailand, 2-1, in the final that went to extra time after Nguyen Phong Anh struck the winning goal.

While happy with the gains, Hermans is also looking at ways for the team to be better.

“Totally, I’m very proud of their progression, but I can [also] see who’s in the team, who’s not in the team,” Hermans said. “But those are my decisions later on, and we grow.”