Filipinas during a match against Australia U-23 squad within the Asean Women’s Championship in Vietnam.–PFF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine women’s football team suffered an enormous blow to its title defense after absorbing a 1-0 loss to the Australia U-23 squad on Sunday within the Asean Women’s Championship at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam.
Alana Jancevski’s goal near halftime for the Aussies proved to be the difference because the Filipinas were handed a stinging defeat that also put their probabilities of making the semifinals in peril.
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Saves from goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel within the second half helped keep the scoreline intact, but an equalizer eluded the 2022 champions until the ultimate whistle.
The setback now pushes coach Mark Torcaso’s side on the brink going into Wednesday’s final group match against Myanmar at Lach Tray Stadium in Haiphong while Australia will remain in Phu Tho to face Timor-Leste on the identical day.
Myanmar took the lead in Group B at six points after thrashing Timor-Leste, 3-0, while Australia moved to second despite even with the Philippines at three points apiece on account of the head-to-head tiebreaker.
READ: Filipinas show title-retention mettle with rout of Timor-Leste
The highest two teams after the group stage will advance to the semifinals together with Thailand and host Vietnam, which each secured their spots from Group A.
Jancevski got here up with the eventual winner in the primary minute of the primary half added time, firing a low left-footed attempt that beat out McDaniel on the far post, putting the Matildas U-23 in front.
Perhaps the Filipinas’ best probability of tying the count was a header from Hali Long off a corner kick, only to be stopped by Australia keeper Chloe Lincoln.