Capping off a perfect run in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification tournament, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hong Kong on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, officially booking their ticket to next year’s continental showpiece in Australia.
By topping Group G with a flawless record — collecting nine points from wins over Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, and now Hong Kong — the Filipinas clinched a spot in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the third consecutive edition.
The qualification also keeps alive their ambitions of reaching both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Chandler McDaniel struck early in the fourth minute, and her goal proved to be the difference.
The 27-year-old Filipino-American forward now boasts an impressive tally of 11 goals in just over 20 appearances for the national team.
Equally remarkable, the Philippines concluded the qualifying campaign with a dominant performance on both ends of the pitch — scoring 10 goals while keeping a clean sheet throughout the tournament.
Up next for Mark Torcaso’s side is the defense of its crown as the queen of Southeast Asian football next month in the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup 2025 in Vietnam.
Philippines XI: O McDaniel (GK), Cowart, Long, Sawicki, Frilles, C McDaniel, Beard, Serrano, Pasion, Harrison-Wunsch, Pino.
Hong Kong XI: Leung Wai Nga (GK), Ma Chak Shun, Chu So Kwan, Chang Wing Sze (C), Wai Yuen Ting, Fu Chiu Man, Tsang Lai Mae Halasan, Fung Sharon, Cheung Wai Ki, Ko Pak Ling Lucia, Leung Hong Kiu Anke.
