On their quest to ASEAN supremacy, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team (PWNFT) got off to a dream start in the 2019 AFF Women’s Championship held in Thailand.
In a span of two games, the Philippines have scored 10 goals making them tied with Vietnam who also scored 10 goals in the tournament so far.
They showed their goal-scoring prowess against Timor Leste where they started the part just five minutes into the match.
Quinley Quezada scored the first goal in that match after a lovely piece of play ended at her feet before she slotted it into the back of the net.
It took them just eight minutes to double up the lead when Sara Castañeda headed the ball into the goal from the rebound. On the 23rd minute, Camille Rodriguez scored her third goal in the tournament from an outstanding passage of play from the right side of the pitch.
Rodriguez closed the first half with a brace after she chipped the keeper on the third minute of added time.
Apart from the big difference in the scoreline, the Philippines headed into the second half with a different approach and look. With a possibility of the officials asking them to change the colour of their kits, they went out of the pitch sporting their white kits to avoid confusion amongst the players.
They picked up where they left off in the first half as Hali Long powered her shot past the goalkeeper from the penalty spot on the 62nd minute. She would then score her brace on the 76th minute with a tremendous volley over the keeper.
Charisa Lemoran put the icing on that very delicious cake after she rifled a shot just from the edge of the penalty box.
On the other hand, their first game against Malaysia seemed like a litmus paper test for the team. However, as soon as Camille Rodriguez scored her first goal from the rebound on the 40th, they’d found the composure that they are looking for.
They’ve doubled up the lead six minutes into the second half after Long headed the ball over the keeper from a free-kick. The ladies in white then sealed their tasty victory after Rodriguez got her second goal in the match after she capitalized on the spillage from the keeper.
They now have their well-deserved rest before a very tough test against the hosts Thailand on the 21st of August.
The two-time women’s world cup participants have demolished Singapore in their opening game after an eight-goal route and are expected to continue their winning ways over the Philippines.
With the way the girls played their first two matches, we’re in for a treat in their encounter against Thailand and some optimism that we could notch a win against a very tough opposition.
Photo Credits: Philippine Women’s National Football Team
