PH women’s futsal drops final qualifier match vs Australia but advances to AFC Asian Cup
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine national women’s futsal team lost its final game in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, falling to Australia, 2-1, on Sunday, January 19, at the Yunusobod Sport Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
However, the loss did not dampen the country’s hopes of qualifying for the Asian Cup, as it still finished as the best third-placed team in the tournament.
The Philippines finished the qualifiers with two wins, one draw, and one loss for 7 points in Group C to qualify for the continental showpiece.
Meanwhile, Australia ended up as the lone undefeated squad in the group, with four wins in as many matches.
The Aussies scored the match’s first goal via Daisy Arrowsmith seven minutes into the game after Filipinas’ Judy Connolly failed to clear the ball.
Bella Flanigan then answered with an equalizer just before the end of the first half to uplift the Philippines’ momentum into halftime.
Jessica Au, however, regained the lead for Australia with a goal merely seconds into the second half, allowing the Aussies to complete their unbeaten run.
A draw would have officially secured the Philippines the second seed in Group C. Instead, it fell to third spot with a superior goal difference than other third-placed teams.
Once winless prior to the national program reshuffling at the end of last year, the Philippines has now revived the program less than a year before the country’s hosting of the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.
In the tournament, the Filipinas defeated Kuwait and Turkmenistan, and secured a draw against host nation Uzbekistan en route to an Asian Cup ticket.
The Asian Cup will happen in China from May 7 to 18 to determine the continent’s representatives in the global showdown.
However, as hosts, the Philippines is already qualified for the World Cup and will only use the Asian Cup as a buildup for the event. – Rappler.com