Post by markilizer on Apr 25, 2013 5:07:13 GMT 8
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon women's soccer midfielder JoEllen DeLeon has been called up to participate with the Philippine Senior Women's National Team for its Women's Asian Cup group stage contests in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from May 21-26, the Philippine Football Federation announced on Tuesday.
The selection means DeLeon now has the opportunity to help lead the Philippines through 2015 Women's World Cup Qualifying as the Women's Asian Cup will determine the five nations that will represent the Asian Football Confederation at the most prestigious event in women's soccer.
“It is such an incredible honor to represent the Philippines as we try to qualify for the Women's World Cup for the first time,” DeLeon said. “It will be such a thrill to put on the uniform and I know we will be excited and ready to compete.”
The Philippines open qualifying in the Group 'B' Stage of the Women's Asian Cup and will play three matches in the span of five days. The Philippines open group play on May 21 against Iran before a contest against top-seeded Thailand on May 23. The squad closes out the group stage with a meeting against the host country, Bangladesh, on May 25.
Should the Philippines win Group 'B,” it will advance with the other three group stage winners and join Australia, South Korea, China and defending Women's World Cup champion Japan for the 2014 Women's Asian Cup finals next year. From there, five teams will advance to the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada.
“It's a tremendous honor for JoEllen and she is very deserving of her selection,” head coach Steve Ancheta said. “She has been a tremendous student-athlete for the program and will be a great representative for the Philippines as they go through Women's World Cup qualifying.”
The sophomore helped lead WOU to a fourth-place finish in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference last season after scoring two goals while starting in all 19 contests for the Wolves in 2012.
www.wouwolves.com/news/2013/4/23/SOC_0423130356.aspx