Despite Australia taking a 1–0 victory in their 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup opener, it was the Filipinas who earned praise from Matildas star Sam Kerr for their resilience and discipline.
Kerr’s 14th-minute header off a Caitlin Foord cross proved decisive, but the match at Optus Stadium defied the expectations of a lopsided affair.
Historically, encounters between the two sides have favored Australia — a 4–0 result in 2022 and an 8–0 rout at the same venue in 2023 — leading many to anticipate a high-scoring match.
Instead, the Filipinas’ determination turned the game into a physical, stop-and-start battle that frustrated the hosts.
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“I thought they defended well. I think they had a good game plan,” Kerr said, moving her international tally to 70 goals in 132 appearances.
“Obviously, the game was really stop-and-start, which made it harder for us.”
The Filipinas’ commitment to contesting every ball and limiting space for Australia’s midfielders exemplified their growing stature in Asian football.
For Kerr, who has faced the world’s best at both club and international levels, the performance reflects a broader trend in the region.
“I think Asian football is improving, and I think the Philippines is one of those teams that are definitely improving,” Kerr observed.
While Australia secured the crucial three points to start Group A, the narrow margin also allowed the Filipinas to keep their goal difference manageable — an important factor in their bid for a knockout-stage berth.
“The most important thing for us was the win, and we got that, so we’re very happy with how the night went,” Kerr added.
