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| The huge 0-8 defeat versus Australia did not aid Filipinas' Olympic dreams. Photo from PFF |
by Drew Malihan
TASHKENT - The Philippine women's national football team's 2024 Paris Olympics dream closes shut as 50th-ranked Uzbekistan only needed a 3-0 win against India to proceed to the next stage of the competition Wednesday inside the Milliy Stadium.
Nilufar Kudratova scored an early goal off from an assist from captain Lyudmila Karachik in the second minute that went past Shreya Hooda's guard.
It stayed until halftime, as Karachik followed with a brace in the second half, one in the 51st minute and the other in the 83rd with some help from forward Diyora Xabibullayeva.
With the win, Uzbekistan tallied two wins and a loss in the second round, the same as with Marc Torcaso-led squad, but their superior goal difference put them above the 49th-ranked nation, as the Uzbeks has +2 compared to Philippines' -4.
The negative goal difference stemmed from a crushing 0-8 defeat against powerhouse Australia inside Optus Stadium in Perth last October 29.
Meanwhile, South Korea fumbled their own chances as they settled for a 1-1 draw against a more favorable Chinese team in Xiamen.
Shim Seo-yeon scored in the 62nd minute for the Taegeuk Ladies only for forward Wang Shanshan to score 16 minutes later.
South Korea's two draws and a win only gave them five points to be the worst second placer despite having a +9 goal difference, with the other draw against another rival in North Korea.
Uzbekistan will then battle the Matildas for one of the Asian spots in Paris, while it will be an classic matchup between Japan and North Korea for the other berth.
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