Filipinas rout Pakistan to kick off Olympic qualifying tournament
Filipinas’ Sarina Bolden in a Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament game. –PFF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines rolled to a 4-0 victory over Pakistan on Wednesday as its campaign in the first round of the Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament began in Tajikistan.
Hali Long, Sarina Bolden and Eva Madarang scored in the first half before substitute Chandler McDaniel struck late in her return as the Filipinas took the full three points at Hisor Central Stadium.
Coach Alen Stajcic’s side gave itself a good headstart in the bid to reach the next round of the qualifier for next year’s Paris Games.
The Filipinas play host Tajikistan on Saturday.
Long broke the ice for the Philippines in the 22nd minute when she scored a header from close range.
Bolden doubled the lead in the 25th before Madarang made it 3-0 when she fired a screamer at the half-hour mark.
The fourth goeal came minutes before the second half stoppage time as McDaniel scored in her first match since going down with an ACL injury in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
