Australia wins Group C in perfect groove to clinch Women's Futsal Asian Cup for the first time. AFC
By: GIL MORIONES
MANILA - A fiery battle between the Australia and the Philippines women's national futsal team ended in the tightly contested 2-1 win for the Aussies on the last match day of the 2025 AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers at Yunusobod Sport Complex in Tashkent, Sunday night.
The revamped women's Philippine-team showed tenacity in defense only limited and stopped some solid shots produced by the newly-formed futsal team of Australia managed by Miles Downie.
The Philippines went too many open chances but converted none.
Bella Flanigan found Katrina Guillou on her short pass but Kat's attempt disarrayed in the 15:45 minute of the first half.
Not until Judy Connolly committed crucial error after she misfired her defensive clearance as the ball deflected to Daisy Arrowsmith to launch her attempt which converted as the ball went on top of the corner.
The Aussies was first to score in their futsal decider at the 6:38 minute frame.
In the last 29 seconds before 1st half ended, the Philippines scored an equalizer through an own goal by Halle Smit after she mistakenly cleared the supposed-to-be cross by Flanigan to Dionesa Tolentin in the Aussie's goalposts.
However, the closure for this very first encounter between the revamped and inaugurated futsal teams already marked period by Jessica Au, few seconds after the start of the 2nd half after a quick one-touch play.
Au easily scored after a beautiful feed from her teammate to score their 2nd goal for the Australia to clinch Group C with perfection.
Philippines qualifies to Women's Futsal Asian Cup as "Best 3rd place" team
As the Australia slapped Philippines for its first loss for this qualifying tournament, the Philippines will officially confirmed their debut appearance to the 2025 Women's Asian Cup in China this May.
As Uzbekistan won over Turkmenistan by 6-2, that would be enough to overtake Philippines in 2nd place with +7 goal differences.
In effect, Philippines slipped to 3rd place of Group C.
As the results vs. Kuwait (4-1) excluded, the Philippines earned 4 points with 1 goal difference enough to outshine Myanmar (3 points with +3 goal difference) and owned the lone spot and final berth for the proper Women's Futsal Asian Cup.
The qualified Philippines, Australia, and host Uzbekistan were all from Group C.
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