Filipinas begin World Cup return trek on high note
The Philippine women’s football team got the ball rolling in its bid to qualify for a second straight World Cup by defeating Saudi Arabia, 3-0, to begin the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers on Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Jaclyn Sawicki struck the opener 16 minutes into the contest while Meryll Serrano and Alexa Pino padded on the lead with goals in the second half that eventually secured the full three points for the Filipinas against a Saudi side coach Mark Torcaso described as a “well-organized opponent.”
“The girls were very, very ready for it and we were very ready with the outcome,” Torcaso said as the Philippines took the lead in Group G after Matchday 1 as host Cambodia and Hong Kong battled to a 1-1 tie.
Cambodia next
Up next for the Filipinas are the Cambodians on Tuesday, with another win putting them closer to clinching a berth in the 2026 Asian Cup.
Only the group winner will advance to the continental tournament, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Serrano had a hand in the first two goals, first when she dispossessed the Saudis at the back before feeding Sawicki for a strike that was her first in a Filipinas shirt. Serrano doubled the lead in the 55th to make it six in her international career.
Pino likewise scored her first goal for the Philippines in the 81st cutting back before sending a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
“There were times we probably should have executed better in terms of finishing,” Pino said. “But our movement, on and off the ball, was very good and we were to open up some spaces.”
