Filipinas yield to Chinese Taipei, turn focus on Asian Cup qualification

(1st UPDATE) The Philippine women’s football team quickly turns its attention to the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers after dropping its international friendly against Chinese Taipei

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine women’s football team wrapped up its latest training camp with a narrow loss against a “very tough” visiting team.

In their only official friendly for this FIFA International window, the Filipinas absorbed a 1-0 defeat to Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, June 3, at the recently refurbished Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Saki Matsunaga scored the only goal of the match at the 27’ mark after taking advantage of Sara Eggesvik’s error near the penalty arc.

Eggesvik received a pass from goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, but produced a heavy touch and was quickly dispossessed by Matsunaga, who drove straight towards the penalty spot before drilling in a left-footed shot.  

Despite the loss, the Filipinas will aim to stay fit and sharp as they ramp up preparations for their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifying campaign on June 29 versus the 156th-ranked Saudi Arabia.

“It’s not the result obviously that we would want, ‘‘cause we want to win every single game, but it’s a good preparation game for Asian Cup qualifiers,” said Philippine head coach Mark Torcaso. 

“That’s one thing that we’re really looking forward to is to go to Cambodia and having a good show for the country and qualify for the Asian Cup,” he added.

With the Filipinas trailing by a single goal at halftime, head coach Mark Torcaso introduced his first substitute as Megan Murray made way for Paige McSwigan, a fellow forward player. 

Despite the offensive change at the start of the second half, the Philippines continued to see less of the ball as Chinese Taipei remained in control and created multiple chances to extend its slim advantage. 

Yu-Chin Chen had a close range attempt saved by McDaniel at the 61st minute, while captain Yi-Yun Hsu’s shot outside the penalty box hit the bar a minute after. 

In the 81st minute, Janae DeFazio had the best chance to equalize for the Philippines, but her right-footed shot inside the penalty box was blocked by a defender and resulted in a corner kick. 

The Philippines — ranked just a rung above than Chinese Taipei in the world rankings at 41 — came empty-handed in the ensuing set-piece and stayed scoreless until the final whistle.

Torcaso, however, praised the character of his players after they put in a better shift towards the end of the match. 

“I can’t doubt the fight in these girls, and that’s something that we’ve been doing for the last six months — is constantly fighting and working hard for each other.”

“I’m extremely proud of them,” shared the 44-year-old tactician. – Rappler.com