Asian Games: Late Natalie Collins goal steers Filipinas to draw vs. Uzbekistan

Natalie Collins converted a late goal to help the Philippines salvage a 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan to kick off their campaign in the 2026 Asian Games on Monday at the Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium in Japan.

The 19-year-old Collins subbed in at the 82nd minute and then scored the lone goal in the 89th minute to put the country on the board. The Filipinas held on the rest of the way to finish with a draw in their campaign opener.

Before that, Uzbekistan got the first goal when Mehribon Egamberdieva broke through at the 81st minute.

With the result, both the Philippines and Uzbekistan carry a 0-1-0 win-draw-loss record in Group G. Top two teams from each group and the two best-third place finishers will advance to the quarterfinals.

Last Asian Games edition, the Philippines finished the group stage with a 2-0-1 record, but bowed to Japan in the quarterfinals with an overwhelming 8-1 loss.

—JMB, GMA News