No losers in women's football as Malditas held to 1-1 draw with Pinay Futbol All-Stars

Women’s football put on a spectacle as the Pinay Futbol All-Stars held the Malditas to a 1-1 draw at the Emperador Stadium, Sunday.

The All-Stars, assembled from the nine teams of the recently concluded Pinay Futbol League, went ahead as Nikki Regalado surged past her defender to drive the ball into the net in the first half, before Marisa Park equalized in the second.

First half

The match started quickly as Samantha Nierras had an early chance, firing just over the bar, after pouncing on a loose touch by the Pinay Futbol defense. Soon after, the All-Stars had a  chance as they won a free-kick on the right wing and swung it in, but it just evaded their forward as the game began with good back-and-forth energy.

With the Malditas gradually beginning to control the game, Marisa Park threaded a nice through ball to Olivia Schmitt, to put her one-on-one with the keeper, but Haya Ibarra was out quickly to get down low and slide in to clear. A minute later and the Pinay Futbol goalkeeper was hesitant to come out to claim the ball this time, and it fell to Natasha Alquiros on the left wing, though she shot high and wide.

In the 23rd minute, the Malditas had a penalty shout as Aisa Mondero went down on the left wing, just inside the area, but she went down too easily according to the referee, who waved her on.

After knocking on the door several times, the Malditas couldn’t hold the All-Stars back as they countered again and opened the scoring. Just into the Malditas’ half, Sydney Pagador was already the last woman and was forced into a sliding tackle preventing the first chance. However, Nikki Regalado burst onto the loose ball, powerfully strode past a recovering defender, and drove the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area to put her side ahead.

It was to be her last input for a while as she was replaced by Mary Ignacio, while Alesa Dolino came out for Regine Metillo, but with rolling substitutions, both teams made many changes and those subbed out could come back in later in the game.

The Malditas were obviously looking to get back in the game, and Samantha Nierras curled just high and wide from a 20-yard free-kick. Then Camille Wilson tricked her way past a defender on the right wing for the Malditas and won a corner, which was taken well and headed just wide from Patrice Impelido coming up from the back.

The All-Stars had a good chance to double their lead soon after though, as the ball was played out wide, and as the cross evaded the defense, the All-Stars hooked the ball wide from inside the area. But the halftime whistle sounded almost immediately after and the All-Stars were the happier of the two camps, taking a 1-0 lead into the break.

Second half

As in the first half, the Malditas came out of the blocks faster. Working the ball for a cross to Sunshine Soriano, her header looped over the goalkeeper and bounced off the top of the bar and away.

Close to the hour mark, Park played a fantastic through ball for Schmitt, who crossed in well, stretching the defense and allowing the Malditas a shot at goal. But the effort cracked off the post and the All-Stars were able to clear and keep their lead despite the Malditas hitting the woodwork twice.

Aisa Mondero almost worked herself into a perfect opportunity to equalize as she waltzed past three defenders on her way into the box, but Hope Solis came across for a crashing tackle, to force the ball out for a corner.

Sara Casteneda gave the All-Stars a good chance to double their lead as they countered once more. She fed Molly Manalansan with a great pass, but couldn’t hit the target. Schmitt then took on her defender on the left wing and put in a cross, but a diving header from the All-Stars defense cleared the danger and they looked to counter again.

The Malditas’ attack finally found the breakthrough with around 20 minutes to go as a free-kick deep into the All-Stars’ territory was headed away to the edge of the area. As the Malditas fired the ball back in, it hit one of their own players, Park, who swiveled and stuck the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper, Ibarra.

Soon after, Casteneda played another exceptional through pass, but the All-Stars lacked a finishing touch again as they sent the opportunity wide of goal. And with 10 minutes left in the game, the Malditas stung the palms of Ibarra with a shot from distance, before she was subbed out to give an opportunity to Gely Tiu. Tiu was immediately tested as the Malditas worked the ball out wide and crossed in for Park, who shot at goal, but Tiu saved well twice, including on the rebound.

It was a lively end to a well-spirited match ultimately ending in stalemate. But while no-one won this game, women’s football in the Philippines won overall.

Woman of the match

Afterwards, Sara Casteneda was announced as the woman of the match and at 16 years old she clearly has a bright future ahead of her. With a good eye for a pass, the playmaker created several opportunities on the counterattack and is one of the Pinay Futbol All-Stars who will surely be under further consideration to join up with the Malditas after this game.  - AMD, GMA News