By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Charisa Marie Lemoran will banner the Philippine women’s national futsal team as the Filipina5 gear up for the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, which the Philippines will host at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City from November 21 to December 7.

The Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City native Lemorán heads a 15-player lineup that will see action in the country’s first-ever hosting of a FIFA World Cup event and only the second appearance by a Philippine squad on futsal’s biggest international stage.

The tournament gives the Filipina5 an opportunity to showcase the strides of the local futsal program as they compete against top-ranked nations on home soil.

Philippine Football Federation President John Anthony Gutierrez said the event underscores a major milestone for the sport and the federation.

“To host the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup and to see our very own Filipina5 compete in it is a monumental achievement for Philippine football and futsal,” Gutierrez said.

“This squad represents the heart, grit and ambition of our futsal program. We believe they will make the country proud,” he added.

Gutierrez said the team’s preparation reflects the federation’s long-term investment in futsal.

“The Filipina5 have trained relentlessly, and with the support of our coaches, staff and partners, we are confident in their readiness,” he said.

The full roster includes Lemorán, along with Samantha Jane Hughes, Lanie Ortillo, Cathrine Graversen, Kayla Maureen Santiago, Dionesa Tolentin, Jaclyn Katrina Sawicki, Katrina Jacqueline Guillou, Regine Rebosura, Alisha Clare del Campo, Judy Lynn Connolly, Isabella Marie Bandoja, Ma. Rocelle Mendaño, and Isabella Victoria Flanigan.

Filipina5 will play all their group-stage matches at the PhilSports Arena — against Poland on November 21, against Morocco on November 24, and against Argentina on November 27./ASC, WDJ