Filipinas during a match against Australia U-23 squad in the Asean Women’s Championship in Vietnam.–PFF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine women’s football team suffered a big blow to its title defense after absorbing a 1-0 loss to the Australia U-23 squad on Sunday in the Asean Women’s Championship at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam.
Alana Jancevski’s goal near halftime for the Aussies proved to be the difference as the Filipinas were handed a stinging defeat that also put their chances of making the semifinals in peril.
READ: Filipinas eye possible Asean semis berth vs young Aussies
Saves from goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel in the second half helped keep the scoreline intact, but an equalizer eluded the 2022 champions until the final whistle.
The setback now pushes coach Mark Torcaso’s side on the brink going into Wednesday’s final group match against Myanmar at Lach Tray Stadium in Haiphong while Australia will remain in Phu Tho to face Timor-Leste on the same day.
Myanmar took the lead in Group B at six points after thrashing Timor-Leste, 3-0, while Australia moved to second despite even with the Philippines at three points apiece due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.
READ: Filipinas show title-retention mettle with rout of Timor-Leste
The top two teams after the group stage will advance to the semifinals along with Thailand and host Vietnam, which both secured their spots from Group A.
Jancevski came up with the eventual winner in the first minute of the first half added time, firing a low left-footed attempt that beat out McDaniel on the far post, putting the Matildas U-23 in front.
Perhaps the Filipinas’ best chance of tying the count was a header from Hali Long off a corner kick, only to be stopped by Australia keeper Chloe Lincoln.
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