The Philippine Women’s National Football Team demonstrated that it can compete with one of the world’s best teams as it suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland, Sunday, at the Bellis Fieldin Antalya, Turkey.
Lily Agg, who plays for the London City Lionesses in the Barclays Women’s Championship, scored in the 37th minute to give the win to coach Vera Pauw’s side.
Up against the Girls in Green (ranked 27th in the world), the Filipinas gave a good account of themselves despite ranking 26 places lower.
The likes of Carleigh Frilles and Isabella Flanigan tried to provide something in the final third but just did not get the rub of green.
This match is the first of three friendlies for coach Alen Stajcic’s wards because they compete in the upcoming 2022 AFF Women’s Championship on home soil.
The Filipinas will now go to Slovenia, where they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina – ranked 63 in the world – on June 23 and June 27.
Philippines XI: Fontanilla (GK), Cesar, Randle, Sawicki, Long ©, Bolden, Bugay, Frilles, Harrison, Madarang, Quezada.
Ireland XI: Brosnan, Ziu, Payne, Quinn, Fahey, Connolly, Caldwell, McLaughlin, McCabe ©, Roche, Agg.
