U17 Filipinas clobber Indonesia to start AFC U17 campaign

The Filipinas made a statement in their AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup debut. PFF

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The Filipinas' under-17 squad took flight on Monday night as they handed host country Indonesia a 6-1 beating to begin their quest in the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali.

Not even a shock goal from Claudia Scheunemann could waver the Filipinas as they dominated their Indonesian counterparts.

Alexa Pino opened what had been a brilliant performance for her by heading in a sixth-minute goal off Ava Villapando's cross.

Six minutes later, though, Scheunemann caught goalkeeper Bri Baker off guard as she launched a long-range effort that Baker could not save, equalizing the match for Indonesia.

Goals from Jael-Marie Guy in the 22nd minute and Ariana Markey in the 29th minute put the Filipinas back in control of the match.

Pino fired another goal in the 35th minute to cap the Filipinas' first-half domination.

Natalie Collins went to work in the second half, scoring goals in the 54th and 62nd minutes to cap the scoring for the Filipinas.

The Filipinas, playing for the first time in the said continental event, will next face mighty North Korea on Thursday at the Bali United Training Center.

North Korea obliterated neighboring South Korea, 7-0, in the first match in Group A.

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