Big Asian AFC start by Malditas
The Philippine Malditas, as promised by their coach, are creating a stir in the Asian AFC Women’s Qualifying.
The Malditas crushed higher-ranked Iran, 6-0, Tuesday at the start of Group B play at the Bangabandu National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Beefed up by several United States-based standouts who have NCAA Division 1 experience, the Malditas dominated the match right from the get-go, scoring three goals in the first four minutes.
Heather Cooke headed home the opener in the first minute after a fine cross from Natasha Alquiros, before Megan Marie Jurado doubled the lead two minutes later.
Jesse Ann Shug knocked in the first of her two goals in the fourth minute before doubling her tally in second half stoppage time.
Joanna Houplin was also on the scoresheet with her 41st minute strike that made it 5-nil at halftime for coach Ernie Nierras’ charges.
“This team will do unbelievable things,” Nierras had said before the Malditas left for the event. “My target is to reach the World Cup and the only way to do that is to top our group and go all the way in the Asian Cup.”
The crunch match in the qualifiers will be against Thailand today, where Nierras intends to pull a surprise with “three fast strikers.” The Thais drubbed Bangladesh, 9-0, in their opener. Cedelf P. Tupas
