Katrina Guillou struck at the death to lift the Philippine Women’s National Football Team to a 1-1 draw against Costa Rica, Saturday morning Manila time at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela.
The 28-year-old midfielder tapped the ball home in the 90+3 minute after the Costa Ricans failed to clear their lines from a set-piece.
Guillou’s late leveler saw coach Alen Stajcic’s wards fight back from a one-goal deficit as Costa Rican forward Priscilla Chinchilla scored in the 57th minute off a cross from her captain Melissa Herrera.
“Our ability to keep the ball and pass it was not good enough tonight,” said Stajcic.
“We have to really work hard on that to improve our technique, our first touch, and our passing if we’re going to compete with good teams like these in their home, teams that are going to the World Cup.”
Beforehand, the first half proved to be a goalless stalemate between the two sides.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was kept busy throughout the period as she denied the likes of Cristin Ganados and Carolina Venegas with some fine saves.
In contrast, the Filipinas rarely troubled Tapia. Forward Carleigh Frilles had a sniff at goal, only for her attempt to go well over the bar.
Ultimately, though, the Filipinas – who are ranked 53rd in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings – found a way to salvage a credible result against Costa Rica, which sits in 37th in the said standings.
“I’m really proud of the spirit of the group, the hard work of the group, but we know how much more harder we have to work especially on the ball,” reiterated Stajcic.
Both sides will meet again in a closed-door friendly at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa. The game will kickoff at 1:00 AM this Wednesday, Manila time.
Costa Rica XI: Guillen, Benavides, del Campo, Herrera, Cruz, Venegas, Rodriguez, Chinchilla, Granados, Alvarado ©, Tapia (GK).
Philippines XI: Randle, Long ©, Miclat, Flanigan, Frilles, Harrison, McDaniel (GK), Madarang, Guillou, Eggesvik, Cowart.
