Sarina Bolden straightly headed the second goal for Malditas. AFC |
By Gil Moriones
MANILA -- The Malditas is one push away for the 2023 Women's World Cup seat but not yet over for Alej Stajcic as the Philippines will deal to another assignment as they proceed to the Quarterfinals of the continuing 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup after decisively annihilated Indonesia through 6-0 goalfest at Shiv Chattrapti Sports Complex in Pune, India, Thursday night.
It is the first time for the Filipina booters to qualify in the Knockout Stages of the AFC Women's Asian Cup in their entire 10 appearances of which their best run was their 6th place in the 2018 quadrennial competition.
The goal spree was initiated from the penalty declared in the 4th minute after the Indonesian defender committed handball. However, Sarina Bolden missed the easy first goal for the blue shirts after the ball went off the post and finally hold by Indonesian keeper as Katrina Guillou rebounded the ball to create her attempt.
But in the few seconds after chaos in the Indonesia's penalty area, Guillou finally got her first international goal as Malditas after she received pass from her teammate, snatched the opportunity to create chances in defender-less ground for Merah Putih and converted the goal with her right foot at the 5th minute.
Finally, Bolden redeemed herself in her missed penalty as she headed straight the ball to convert and double the lead of the Filipina booters at the 27th minute from the set piece free kick by Jessica Miclat. Bolden already collected five international goals in her national kit.
Malditas ended the first half signifying their dominance in the pitch 12 total shots with four of those are on target within their 58.7 percent ball possession.
The scoring party continued in the second half with the captain Tahnai Annis scored the goal in her long-range effort launched in the outside penalty box as the ball went into goalmouth after failed to save by Riska Aprilla in 56th minute.
Later in 74th minute, Miclat translated her attempt into goal via penalty kick after Indonesia defender committed handball again inside the box to draft the Malditas' fourth goal in the contest. With Aprilla left not contend to save it, it is the first international goal for the Aris Limassol FC Midfielder.
Eight minutes later at 82nd minute, Annis tried her luck again with the long-range effort which produced the fifth goal for Malditas left Aprilla too high to tap it.
Lastly, the debutant Malea Cesar joined the scoring trend in the last minute fashion as she easily scored her first international goal in the 90+4 minute after Aprilla went out of her place and failed Indonesian defenders to chase the ball, that wrapped out their big 6-0 win as the referee blew the whistle.
The Malditas only need to win against the Chinese Taipei this Sunday QF match to get their remarkable World Cup debut next year.
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