The Filipinas opened their campaign in the 20th Asian Games in dramatic fashion, battling Uzbekistan to a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equalizer on Monday at the Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium in Japan.
Natalie Collins, a forward from Boise State University, found the back of the net with her right foot in the 89th minute after intercepting the ball from Uzbekistan defender Umida Zoirova.
The former Under-17 youth international’s equalizer earned coach Mark Torcaso’s side a valuable point after Mehribon Egamberdieva had given Uzbekistan the lead with a right-footed strike in the 81st minute.
With both nations settling for a point in their respective Asian Games openers, the Philippines and Uzbekistan will return to action on Thursday at the same venue.
Uzbekistan will face China at 1 p.m. Manila time, while the Philippines will take on Hong Kong later in the day at 6 p.m.
