Filipinas await Olympics fate after boosting chances with win over Iran

Philippine women’s football team in the AFC Olympic Qualifiers. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PWNT

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines kept its hopes of making the final phase of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament after defeating Iran, 1-0, on Wednesday at Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia.

Tahnai Annis’ goal which came in the first half spelled the difference as the Filipinas assured themselves of a second place finish in Group A with six points on the account of two victories and one defeat.

What’s not assured as of posting time is the fate of coach Mark Torcaso’s squad in terms of whether the Filipinas will progress further in the qualifier for next year’s Paris Olympics.

The Filipinas hope that the game between South Korea and China end in a draw and for Uzbekistan to either lose or held to a tie by India in the day’s other matches.

Both games were held after the Filipinas’ victory.

Annis, wearing the captain’s armband, supplied the eventual winner in the 19th minute for her 15th international goal and first since April during the first round of the Olympic qualifier.

There were plenty of chances for the Philippines to double the lead but were denied multiple times behind the solid goalkeeping of Iran’s Zahira Khajavi.

Iran also had its chance of tying the score, but Filipinas keeper Olivia McDaniel was able to make some stops between the sticks.