The Philippine Women’s National Football Team pulled off another impressive win, this time at the expense of Timor Leste, steamrolling them 7-0 and inching closer to a place in the AFF Women’s Championship semifinals.
Unlike the previous match – where the nationals figured in a nervy start – this time the Filipinas went out guns blazing on the scorching Saturday afternoon at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand. It took them only five minutes to get on the board when Quinley Quezada finished off Alisha Del Campo’s denied attempt. Eight minutes later, Sara Castañeda smacked another rebounded shot into the net to extend the lead.
In the 23rd minute, last game’s standout Camille Rodriguez joined the scoresheet when she headed in Quezada’s pass inside the box. She doubled her tally in first-half added time with a neat first touch from Claire Lim’s long-distance pass, looping the ball over keeper Agostinha Nogueira and into a goal.
Even with a commanding lead by the half, the Filipinas did not take their foot off the gas pedal en route to more goals. Around the one-hour mark, Hazel Lustan’s pace was too much for Trifonia Mesquita, who took her down in the penalty area. Hali Long converted the spot-kick that followed, then completed her brace fourteen minutes later with a swift kick.
Charisa Lemoran had several chances earlier in the match, but the one that mattered finally found its way into the back of the net near full time. The top-of-the-box strike would turn out to be her first international goal.
With three more points and Thailand still a game behind, Let Dimzon’s squad remain the leaders of their five-team group, slowly turning a first-time semifinals appearance into a reality. A win against their next opponents Thailand will surely secure the historic berth.
“I think we have to work out more on scoring chances especially playing against Thailand. It will be very hard for us, but we just have to work out with our attacking third,” Dimzon said.
The PWNFT will next see action on Wednesday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. Philippine time.
Timor Leste XI: Nogueira (Cabral), Mesquita, Doutel, Coneicao (C), N. Da Costa (R. Da Costa), Fernandes, Chaves, Costa, Dos Reis (Belo), Da Silva, Martins
Philippines XI: Palacios, Lim, Long, Dolino (Bernal), Simarago, Rodriguez, Castañeda, Impelido (C), Lemoran, Quezada (Inquig), Del Campo (Lustan)
