By: GIL MORIONES
CALOOCAN CITY -- The Filipinas formally finished their final group stage match by beating the Lionesses of IR Iran in the ongoing 2026 Women's Asian Cup held at Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast, on the afternoon of International Women's Day (Philippine time).
The Filipinas finished their 2026 Women's Asian Cup campaign third in Group A, while the Korea Republic took first, followed by runners-up Australia after their dramatic 3-3 finish.
Mary Ramirez was able to break free from the Iranian defense, but her right-footed shot was saved by Raha Yazdani in the 19th minute. Ramirez, having started in the forward position, had recorded two misses early on, including an attempt that flew too high in the 35th minute.
The breakthrough finally came in the 29th minute as Sara Eggesvik scored the Philippines' first goal of this 2026 Women's Asian Cup.
Eggesvik's right-footed shot—the result of an error from an Iranian defender’s header—was checked and reviewed by VAR, leaving the Filipinas' group celebration on hold for the meantime. The Chinese referee, Tian Jin, eventually affirmed the goal, which marked Eggesvik's seventh international goal for the Filipinas.
Later, Alexa Pino's left-footed shot from the left side of the box was saved by Yazdani in the 45+2 minute. Yazdani withstood nine solid shots on target from the Filipinas to hold the score to a 1-0 lead before the first half ended.
The resilience of the Lionesses' defense, led by Yazdani, continued to thwart the Filipinas' desperation to score more goals to clear their -4 goal differential until the 82nd minute.
Chandler McDaniel, fresh off the bench, was found by fellow substitute Ariana Barkley, and she boomed a right-footed shot that was unreachable for Yazdani, finally converting the goal for the Philippines as insurance, 2-0.
However, Chandler's second goal, from an assist by Alessandrea Carpio, was dismissed in the 87th minute after VAR intervened to rule it as offside.
The final whistle blew, giving the Philippines its first three points of the Women's Asian Cup and bringing their goal differential to -2 while they await the results of Bangladesh vs. Uzbekistan tomorrow. Either a win for Bangladesh or a draw will favor the Philippines; however, if Uzbekistan wins, it must be by at least three goals to overtake them.
If the Filipinas finish as one of the best third-place teams, they will meet the Group C top seed—either Japan, Vietnam, or Chinese Taipei—in the Quarterfinals.
