Krystal de Ramos of the Portland State women's soccer team has been selected to the 23-player roster for the Philippine Senior Women's National Team that will compete in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018. The competition begins Friday in Amman, Jordan.
 
The Asian Cup serves as the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. The top five teams out of the eight-team Asian Cup qualify for the World Cup. The top two teams in each group at the Asian Cup qualify automatically, while the two third-place teams will have a playoff to determine the fifth qualifier for the World Cup.
 
"I'm grateful to have this opportunity again," de Ramos said of her selection. "Having the chance to represent the Philippines again, with the stakes being so high this time, is such an honor. There is no better feeling than playing for something bigger than myself."
 
The Philippines (FIFA ranking: 72) were placed in a group with host Jordan (51), China PR (17) and Thailand (30). Japan (11), Australia (6), Korea Republic (16) and Vietnam (35) make up the other group.
 
The first of the Philippines' three group-stage games comes Friday at 8 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. (PT), against host Jordan. The Philippines will then play China PR at 6:45 a.m. (PT) on April 9, and Thailand at 10 a.m. (PT) on April 12. The knockout stages will begin on April 17, with the championship scheduled for April 20. The fifth-place game between the two third-place teams will take place on April 16.
 
"We are extremely proud of Krystal and this accomplishment," Portland State head women's soccer coach Katie Burton – who played with another of the Philippine National Team selections, Leah Larot, when both were players at Sacramento State – said. "Not only is it a great experience for her to play at a high level against professional caliber players, but it is also a great recruiting tool for our program to have someone who is playing internationally. I know she has been working diligently over the past three months so it is great to see her efforts come to fruition. We know she will represent the Vikings well."
 
The Philippines qualified for the Asian Cup after placing second in their group during the qualification tournament. The Philippines finished 3-1-1 in qualifying, with their only loss coming to fellow qualifier Jordan.
 
De Ramos started two of the Philippines' three matches at the 2016 AFF Women's Championship, which was her first experience at an international tournament. De Ramos has participated in a number of Philippines National Team training camps, including several this year that led to her selection for the Asian Cup.
 
De Ramos has started 34 matches at Portland State, and has tallied 15 career points between five goals and five assists. De Ramos was named an All-Big Sky honorable mention in 2016, when she tied for the team lead with five goals during the season.
 
"The sacrifices I've made in this process have been completely worth it," de Ramos said. "All the women I've had the chance to play with on this journey have worked so hard and have given up so much. I feel lucky to share this experience with them and am looking forward to Jordan."
 
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM THE PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL FEDERATION