THE World Cup-bound national team made mincemeat of home team Tajikistan, 8-0, to go unscathed in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament played over the weekend at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan.
It was the second shutout victory by the Filipinas—they blanked Pakistan, 4-0, last Wednesday—who are bound for a historic appearance in the Women’s World Cup in July in New Zealand and Australia.
At 2-0 won-lost, the Philippines is tied with Hong Kong atop Group E with 6.0 points, but the Filipinas are ahead by seven with a superior goal difference of 12.
The Filipinas can afford to draw with Hong Kong on Tuesday to remail leader of the bracket at the end of the group stage.
“First half, we were a lot better, second half we took our foot off the pedal a bit, but we are on top of the table now and look forward to a tough game against Hong Kong,” said the Filipinas’ Australian coach Alen Stajcic said.
Sofia Harrison broke the ice for the Filipinas’ first goal in the 26th minute from close range and only two minutes later, Tahnai Annis made it a 2-0 cushion.
Carleigh Frilles scored on a Meryll Serrano pass in the the 31st minute, Quinley Quezada got in at the 35th minute mark off two defenders inside the penalty box for a 4-0 score.
Three minutes later, Serrano headed the Philippines’s fifth goal and Maya Alcantara’s corner kick made it 6-0 three minutes into the added time of the first half.
Chandler McDaniel capped the lopsided win with goals in the 60th minute and 89th minutes.
The Philippines-Hong Kong match is set 7 p.m. Tuesday.
