Goal in sight
Two rising stars put the Philippine women’s football team closer to a quarterfinal berth in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on the night its captain pulled off a record-tying feat.
Skye Leach and Mallie Ramirez, both 22 years old, scored in each half to give the Filipinas a 2-0 win over Hong Kong at Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium, a victory that put the national squad on the doorstep of the knockout stage of the continental meet.
Leach found the back of the net for the first time in her international career during the 12th minute before Ramirez doubled the lead past the hour mark. That last goal served as the insurance that secured the maximum three points for the Philippines.
And the win served as a fitting tribute to skipper Hali Long, who made her 108th appearance for the Philippines.
That number put Long in a tie with the iconic Phil Younghusband for most caps by a male or female Philippine player.
Long, a legendary figure in her own right, can set the record on Monday when the Filipinas battle China to close out the group stage.
Both teams have four points apiece in Group G after China was held to a 1-1 tie by Uzbekistan earlier in the day. China, however, leads the group on goal difference.
A draw will secure the Filipinas a seat in the quarters, and allow them their finish from three years ago in China when the country made its women’s football debut at the Asiad.
A defeat would not necessarily mean elimination, as the format allows safe passage to the next round for the best-finishing third-place squad.
If China wins, the Philippines will be anchoring its hopes on the results of the games in the other groups.
The Philippines won for the first time in its Asiad campaign this year after it salvaged a 1-1 tie against Uzbekistan when Natalie Collins scored a late equalizer.
It didn’t take long for the Philippines to seize the lead this time, as Leach scored after Inday Tolentin’s attempt was deflected.
Leach’s breakthrough goal came in her second match for the Philippines at the senior level. Her debut came against Uzbekistan on Monday, where she was also a starter.
Ramirez produced her third goal for the Philippines. The previous two times she found the back of the goal came during the group stage of the Thailand Southeast Asian Games, when the Filipinas won the gold in highly dramatic fashion.
Aside from looking to make its mark in the quadrennial meet, the women’s team is also sharpening itself as it prepares to make a second appearance in the Women’s World Cup next year.
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