For the second straight match in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying tournament, Meryll Serrano once again stole the spotlight, powering the Philippine Women’s National Team to a dominant 6-0 victory over Cambodia on Wednesday at the National Olympic Stadium.
Serrano, who tallied a goal and an assist in the Filipinas’ previous outing, opened her account in the 19th minute. She then unleashed a stunning strike from the halfway line to complete her brace in the 36th minute.
Such was the dominance of Mark Torcaso’s side that they entered the halftime break with a commanding four-goal cushion.
Alexa Pino opened the scoring in the 18th minute, while Sofia Harrison-Wunsch’s cross was deflected into the net by a Cambodian defender in the 40th minute for an own goal.
Captain Hali Long made it 5-0 just three minutes after the restart with a well-placed header, and Chandler McDaniel joined the scoresheet in the 56th minute to cap the Filipinas’ scoring spree.
McDaniel’s sister, Olivia, marked her 50th cap for the Philippines with a commanding clean sheet in goal.
The only blemish on the Philippines’ performance came late in the match when substitute Nina Mathelus was shown a red card for what the referee deemed a dangerous foul.
Now leading Group G with six points, the Filipinas need only a draw against second-placed Hong Kong (4 points) on Sunday at 5:00 PM (Manila time), also at the Phnom Penh-based venue, to officially punch their ticket to next year’s continental showpiece.
On the other hand, Cambodia will end its campaign against Saudi Arabia at 8 p.m. Manila time on the same day and pitch.
Cambodia XI: Fariya (GK), Nimol, Samnang, Yoeurn, Vipha, Sovanmony, Saody, Serysitha, Chanthet, Maysam, Sreylas (C).
Philippines XI: O McDaniel (GK), Cowart, Long (C), Sawicki, Norman, Frilles, C McDaniel, Beard, Serrano, Pasion, Pino.
