NEW QUEENS OF ASEAN FOOTBALL | Filipinas claim AFF title after whipping Thailand in final

Jessika Cowart celebrates after scoring the opening goal for the Filipinas. PFF

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Once upon a time, they were still called the "Malditas".

Starting on Sunday night, call them "queens".

The Philippine women's football team completed its climb to the top of the Southeast Asian ladder, pipping Thailand, 3-0, to win the AFF Women's Championship at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

In front of 8,257 fans which nearly filled the field, the Filipinas stunned the Thais in epic fashion, denying them an unbeaten season in the worst place to get a defeat.

Jessika Cowart broke the ice for the Filipinas after heading in an eighth-minute goal off Tahnai Annis' corner kick.

Katrina Guillou made it 2-0 in the 20th minute after striking one from point-blank range.

From thereon, the Filipinas' defense dictated the tempo of the match, holding Thailand to only a few attempts that either went off target or went easily to Olivia McDaniel.

Sarina Bolden then finished the job for the Filipinas, heading in an 89th minute goal, her tournament leading eighth strike.

This is the Philippines' first championship in any AFF tournament, getting to the regional championship first than their male counterparts, the Azkals.

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