Ranked No.49 in the world and coming off the back of a surprising World Cup campaign, the Philippines are expected to be a tougher challenge than Iran.
“It was always the big one for us this tournament,” Matildas skipper Sam Kerr told media on Saturday.
According to Kerr, the biggest concern for the Matildas is the Philippines’ defence.
“They set up in a good block and it’s hard to break down,” Kerr said.
“I think the hardest thing in football now is when teams set up in that low block and have a fast striker up top like they do in a counterattacking.
“But look, they’ve had a new coach come in … so we’re just focusing on ourselves, taking everything [the Philippines have] done in the last game with a grain of salt because with a new coach you never really sure where they’re headed.”
The last time Matildas faced the Philippines they won 4-0 in the group stages at the 2022 AFC Asian Cup.
The Philippines are coached by Australian-born and Western United FC Women manager Mark Torcaso