
Filipinas on the Asean Women’s Championship in Vietnam.–PFF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine women’s football team will aim for a second straight win and a possible semifinals berth when it tackles the Australia U-23 squad within the Asean Women’s Championship on Sunday in Phu Tho, Vietnam.
Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. Philippine time at Viet Tri Stadium with the Filipinas expecting a way more difficult challenge from the Matildas U-23 after the reigning holders began the tournament with a 7-0 thrashing of Timor-Leste last Thursday.
READ: Filipinas show title-retention mettle with rout of Timor-Leste
In that Group B match, Quinley Quezada and Dionesa Tolentin combined for 4 goals, each scoring twice, through the lopsided affair that served as a warning to the remainder of the sphere that the Philippines is keen on retaining the title it won three years ago at home.
But Australia could have something to say about it because it tries to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Myanmar to start its campaign within the competition also known commercially because the Asean MSIG Serenity Cup.
Australia fell behind 2-0 after conceding in each half, before attempting to salvage at the least a tie when Holly Furphy pulled one back five minutes before stoppage time. Myanmar, nonetheless, was capable of sustain its lead until the ultimate whistle to get the win.
READ: Rookies get likelihood for World Cup-dreaming Filipinas in Vietnam
Myanmar faces Timor-Leste in Sunday’s other game, likewise in search of a second victory.
The highest two teams in Group B will progress into the knockout semis together with their counterparts from Group A composed of 2022 finalist Thailand, host Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia.
Thailand won all of its first two matches, including Saturday’s 7-0 beatdown of Cambodia in Haiphong.