Filipinas learn more in loss to Scots

Meryll Soriano (photo above, No. 13) is mobbed by Filipinas teammates. —PHOTO FROM Philippine Football Federation

The Philippine women’s football team lost another match in the Pinatar Cup on Saturday, but team captain Tahnai Annis believes the Filipinas continue to make progress ahead of the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

“I think maybe we’re getting a little bit comfortable being uncomfortable playing these games,” Annis said after the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Scotland at Pinatar Arena in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain.“And at the level that all of these games and matches are now, if we have to come out and be clinical, we have to, we have to be switched on all the time. We can’t really afford any lapses or second guessing ourselves. And I think, as time goes on, we’re just learning.”

The Filipinas conceded in each half as Lauren Davidson produced the opener for Scotland five minutes before halftime before Caroline Weir made it 2-0 from a corner kick near the hour mark.

But it could have been a different story had the Filipinas converted their own attempts, with Katrina Guillou almost converting and Annis needing a final touch to possibly score on a counterattack.

A consolation goal from Meryll Soriano entering stoppage time gave coach Alen Stajcic’s side its first score in the tournament after losing 1-0 to Wales three days earlier.

The Philippines wraps up its campaign on Tuesday against Iceland, with the hope that the lessons competing against highly-ranked European sides would be carried into the next weeks and months.

“I think as long as we keep going in the direction that we want to, no matter how incremental it might be, I think we’re still progressing,” said Annis. “And having a lot of takeaways from each game that we play will help us in the World Cup.” INQ