THE PHILIPPINE Women’s National Football Team (PWNFT) bowed out of AFC Women’s Asian Cup (AFC WAC) championship contention in a 0-2 defeat against the world-ranked #18 South Korea despite a hard-fought effort on Thursday, February 3, at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India.
The PWNFT’s awe-inspiring Cinderella run showed the notable development of women’s football in the country. The rise culminated with the 64th world-ranked Philippines playing in its first AFC WAC semi-final match in history, a few days after its historic World Cup berth.
Riding high from a dramatic penalty finish against Chinese Taipei, the PWNFT was quickly rattled by the world-class South Korean offense. As early as the fourth minute, South Korea asserted its presence with Cho So-hyun scoring with a header from the corner. This flew past goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and the left goal post.
The Philippines had a string of rare chances which they ultimately squandered. A mid-range shot by Tahnai Annis drifted wide left at the 20th minute, a kick by Katrina Guillou flew over the crossbar at the 23rd minute, and a header by Sarina Bolden barely missed the left side off the corner at the 33rd minute.
A costly keeper error by O. McDaniel led to Son Hwa-yeon booting in South Korea’s second goal at the 34th minute. The South Koreans held the glaring offensive superiority in the first 45 minutes, as they dictated the tempo with 80% of the fixture’s possession by half time. South Korea’s volume-heavy 364 passes dominantly eclipsed the PWNFT’s 92 in the opening frame.
The first period’s rude awakening led the PWNFT to ramp up both their offensive and defensive plays against East Asian powerhouse South Korea which had been dominating the entire match.
The offensive front of the PWNFT aggressively pressed forward, showing exquisite passing from its midfielders and forwards. However, this momentum was lost after key player Chandler McDaniel was subbed out following an injury to her left knee.
The South Korea squad pursued to extend their lead with relentless attacks on the Philippines’ defensive third. However the backline led by Sofia Harrison and Captain Hali Long was able to prevent their opponents from taking chances in dangerous areas. Holding a solid defensive unit, the PWNFT defenders intercepted their opponents attacks with effective two-on-one tactics, avoiding any room for free kicks and corner plays.
Although the PWNFT had begun orchestrating great rhythm with their movement from the middle to attacking third, the Philippine forwards’ shots failed to meet the back of the net, as they were either cleared, sailed too wide, or flew above the crossbar.
The PWNFT held their opponents scoreless the entire second half, but bowed out and granted Korea Republic the ticket to the AFC WAC Finals. The Philippines ends its AFC WAC Campaign with a 3-0-2 win-draw-loss slate, garnering a joint third place with Japan—the first podium finish in PWNFT’s AFC history.
“When you create history every time you step on the field, there’s nothing more you can ask for. The bar, the performance has been raised, the expectations now for the country have been raised,” said Head Coach Alan Stajcic.
The PWNFT will now prepare for their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup scheduled for July 20 t0 August 20, 2023, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. “We’ve got 18 months to prepare for the World Cup and we’re surely going to do everything we can as a country to give those players the maximum possible chance to perform at that stage,” shared Stajcic.
South Korea is set to play in the finals against China PR on February 6, 4:30 PM India Standard Time, at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
