The Filipinas Under-17 team enjoyed a dream start in the 2024 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup by dismantling host nation Indonesia, 6-1, on Monday at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali.
Alexa Pino and Natalie Collins, the team’s two starting forwards, highlighted the gulf in class between both countries by scoring two goals each.
Pino put the ball at the back of the net in the sixth and 35th minutes of the contest. Then Collins added her name to the scoresheet through second-half goals in the 54th and 62nd minutes.
“I had such an amazing time today, especially with fighting for my team and myself on that field,” said Collins. “It’s such an amazing experience to be able to be a part of. This whole journey here, I’m so proud of everyone. To be able to make my grandparents proud and fight for my nation is one of the biggest dreams I’ve ever had.”
In between the duo’s goals, Jael-Marie Guy and Ariana Markey scored in the 22nd and 29th minutes respectively.
The only blemish for the Girls U-17 squad was conceding a 12th-minute goal by Indonesian midfielder Claudia Scheunemann.
Behind this six-goal trashing, Sinisa Cohadzic’s side rose to second in Group A with three points and a plus-5 goal difference as the earlier result saw North Korea demolish South Korea 7-0 at the Bali United Training Center.
Both teams will return to action this Thursday. The Philippines will take on North Korea at 4:00 PM at the Bali United Training Center.
Meanwhile, Indonesia will face South Korea at 7:00 PM at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium.
Indonesia XI: Asnanza (GK), Heselio, Divany, Octana Maharani, Kusuma, A Putri, Chorlienka, Scheunemann, Jenna, K Putri, Nafisa.
Philippines XI: Baker (GK), Baker, Guy, Bradley, Pidding, Collins, Markey, Sia, Villapando, Villasin, Pino.
