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AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP

Despite the loss, PH women’s football team can be proud of gutsy showing vs Australia


The Philippine national women's football team battled toe-to-toe against powerhouse Australia, holding the Matildas scoreless in the first half with a resolute and disciplined defensive team effort.

But ultimately, Australia showed its quality with four second half goals en route to a 4-0 victory over the Filipinas in their second match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup held in India.

After an important triumph against Thailand, the Philippines were understandably in high spirits going up against the tournament favorites.

And while it was important for the Philippines to show respect against our much-fancied opponents, it was equally important not to be overawed by the occasion.

With an eye towards the final group stage match against Indonesia, Coach Alen Stajcic made four changes to his starting eleven, as he rested captain Tahnai Annis, winger Katrina Guillou and gave Kiara Fontanilla her first cap in goal.

After missing the first game, Sarina Bolden started up front with Chandler McDaniel and they almost opened the scoring for the Philippines in the 6th minute with good combination play on the right side.

Bolden embodied the strength of the team as she valiantly held the line for the team, with Australia guilty of misplacing passes early on.

As the game progressed, the Philippines silently grew in the confidence at the thought of playing at the level of world football powerhouses Australia.

But the Matildas, led by their talisman and all-time top scorer Sam Kerr showed their true mettle as they settled into the game, with the captain testing the Philippine defense midway through the first half.

Before the match, Philippines captain Hali Long talked about “having little wins throughout the game”, and for the first half, the Missouri born central defender won her battles against Sam Kerr, denying the Australian legend time and again.

After holding Australia to a scoreless first half, the Filipinas dared to dream, but with Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson admitting afterwards that ‘set pieces was their number one tool to win the Cup’, it was bound to be a corner kick that doomed the Philippines’ efforts.

In the 51st minute, Kerr rose the highest to head home Australia’s first goal of the game, and the relief was evident from the Matildas camp.

Two more goals in the next six minutes well and truly broke the Philippines’ resistance as fatigue started to affect the Filipinas, before Australia wrapped up the scoring with a fourth goal in the 88th minute.

Despite the loss, the Philippines can look back at this game with pride.

The odds were always going to be stacked against the Philippines from the onset, but the fighting spirit of the team was undeniable.

Almost three years to the day of his sacking by the Australian Football Federation, Coach Stajcic had his team deliver a resolute and disciplined performance on the field against his former employers.

“I couldn’t be any prouder. It was a really outstanding performance, being able to hold Australia for fifty minutes,” said Stajcic.

“We proved we can be a tough team to beat, a resilient team. Considering one of our key players was out with Covid, it just shows how much fight and spirit we have in this team.”

“We were not at full strength, which shows how impressive the performance is.”

His opposite number, Gustavsson, was also full of praise for the Filipinas:

“They made it very difficult for us. We give credit to the Philippines. We had stay focused and not get frustrated,” he said.

“They are well-organized; organized almost like a club team, which I’m impressed with.”

“What I see is a team that plays for the country with pride. Some teams need to watch out for them in the tournament”

For the Philippines, the focus must now be towards winning the all-important final group stage match against Indonesia.

It is extremely important for the Philippines not to overlook our less fancied Southeast Asian neighbors, even if they were at the receiving end of an 18-goal shellacking from Australia and a four-goal loss against Thailand.

For the Philippines, their eyes must be firmly on the prize of FIFA World Cup qualification. And a win against Indonesia is an imperative step in that direction.

The Philippines play Indonesia on Thursday at 10 p.m., Manila time.

—JMB, GMA News

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