By Gil Moriones
MANILA -- Although the earlier match between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong did not end in a draw, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team paid no mind to that scenario as they focused on securing a 6-0 victory against qualifiers' host Cambodia in the ongoing Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers on Wednesday night at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Had the first match ended in a draw and the Filipinas still won, they would have been the first team to qualify for Australia next year since the qualification round began.
Alexa Pino continued her brilliant run, scoring the opening goal for the Nationals in the 18th minute after being located by Jaclyn Sawicki. Just seconds later, Meryll Serrano quickly fired a goal to double their lead in the 19th minute.
Serrano struck again with a stunning long-range effort from the halfway line, catching Cambodian keeper Cheya Fariya off guard, making it 3-0 in the 36th minute.
The fourth goal for the Filipinas came via an own goal by Somrit Nimol, who mistakenly deflected a cross from Sofia Harrison into her own net in the 40th minute.
Team captain Hali Long joined the scoring party, converting a header from Angela Beard’s free kick in the 48th minute to make it 5-0.
Finally, Chandler McDaniel powered through to complete the 6-0 tally in the 56th minute after tapping in a cross from Charleigh Frilles on the right flank.
However, Nina Mathelus was issued a red card in the 90th minute for a late challenge on Hea Sreylas, reducing the Filipinas to 10 players.
The Philippines solidified their lead in Group G with six points and a significant goal difference advantage.
They need at least a win or draw against their final opponent, Hong Kong, China, on July 5 to secure another Women’s Asian Cup appearance.
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