Hong Kong’s women’s football team will face the Philippines and Nepal in qualifiers for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup after the draw was made by the Asian Football Confederation on Thursday. The group F matches, which also act as the first round of qualifiers for the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup will take place in Nepal from September 13 to 25. However, Nepal is among the Hong Kong government’s list of A1 high-risk countries, along with Brazil, AFC Women’s Asian Cup hosts India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and South Africa. Head coach Ricardo Rambo welcomed the draw but noted that travel to Nepal from Hong Kong may yet prove problematic given the high-risk rating. The @PilipinasWNFT were drawn to Group F for the #WAC2022 qualifiers! The will face Hong Kong and Nepal in the qualifiers to be held from 13-25 September 2021 in Nepal! #PFF #PWNT pic.twitter.com/bIQkwT2IOy — The Philippine Football Federation (@philfootball) June 24, 2021 But in football terms, the teams are around Hong Kong’s level, he said, boosting hopes of progress towards a first Asian Cup appearance since 2003. The Philippines are ranked No 68 in the world but were among the top seeds in the draw, while Nepal are ranked 101st. Women’s football hopes for more despite New Year showcase being scrapped Hong Kong, who are ranked No 76 in the world, last played the Philippines in September, 2019, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw at Tseung Kwan O.