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Filipinas given reality check after 5-0 win seals Pinatar Cup title for Iceland

Amanda Andradottir, seen here trying to dispossess Maya Alcantara, sparked Iceland's attack on the Filipinas with a brace. PFF
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The Philippine women's football team was dealt its toughest defeat in recent memory after Iceland raced to a 5-0 win in the final match of the Pinatar Cup early Wednesday (Philippine Time) at the Pinatar Arena in San Pedro Del Pinatar, Spain.

While holding Iceland to only one goal in the first half showed some promise on how far the Filipinas have come from being the "whipping girls" of Southeast Asian football to becoming a FIFA Women's World Cup-bound squad, Iceland's second-half barrage turned out to be a reality check on what still needs to be worked on for them with a few months left before women's football's biggest stage opens in Australia and New Zealand.

Amanda Andradottir found some space from outside the box and launched a 20th-minute rocket goal that staggered Olivia McDaniel.

Despite that, the Filipinas held their ground for the rest of the first half and kept the scoreline 1-0 at the break.

Andradottir, however, stunned McDaniel again with a 51st-minute goal to make it 2-0.

McDaniel actually got a piece of the shot, but Andradottir's shot was just too powerful for her to save.

Selma Magnusdottir joined the fun with a 71st-minute goal before Hlin Eiriksdottir pounced on a passing miscue to make it 4-0 by the 80th minute.

Alexandra Johannsdottir iced the match with a goal of her own right at the final play of the match.

This is the Filipinas's worst loss after Chinese Taipei also beat the team formerly known as the Malditas, 5-0, in 2018.

Iceland went on to rule the Pinatar Cup after going undefeated in three matches for seven points with only a goalless draw against Wales early Monday (Philippine Time) keeping them from completing a tournament sweep.

Wales also finished unbeaten with five points, but the team's chances of taking the championship were shut down after Scotland held them to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno

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