Streaking Filipinas set out to claim second round spot

PFF PHOTO

Coach Alen Stajcic and the Philippine women’s football team are bracing for a tough challenge from Hong Kong even after coming off two easy wins that put them on the cusp of progressing to the second round of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“It will be a tough game, a very close game,” Stajcic said after the Filipinas rolled to an 8-0 rout of host Tajikistan on Saturday at Hisor Central Stadium. “But if we play well, I’m confident we can get the job done.”

The Philippines leads Group B despite being level with Hong Kong at six points apiece because of superior goal difference.

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But the way they have performed in defeating the host nation and Pakistan via a 4-0 scoreline in the opener last April 5 will make the Filipinas favorites to take the lone second round spot in the group.

Hong Kong, however, was a tough customer when it faced the Philippines the last time in the Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers nearly two years ago in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Only a late winner from Chandler McDaniel sealed the win for the Filipinas and a place in the continental tournament where they were able to secure the historic World Cup berth.

McDaniel has been a standout performer for the Filipinas in her first tournament since suffering an ACL injury in the Asian Cup.

She has scored three goals through two games, including a brace against Tajikistan. McDaniel was on target in the second half as she finished the job started by her teammates in the first 45 minutes.

Sofia Harrison, Tahnai Annis, Carleigh Frilles, Quinley Quezada, Meryl Serrano and Maya Alcantara all found the back of the net for the Filipinas in the latter phase of the first half.

With big stakes on the line, Stajcic expects his team not to take a step back.

“In the first half, we were a lot better, [in the] second half we took our foot off the pedal a bit, but we are top of the table now and look forward to a tough game against Hong Kong,” Stajcic said. INQ