Young Filipinas down to last shot at making World Cup

Nina Mathelus (left, No. 2) fights for possession with North Korea’s Ri Ye Gyong. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The bid of the Philippines to qualify for the Fifa (International Federation of Football Associations) U-17 Women’s World Cup now rests on the final group stage match of its maiden continental campaign after absorbing a brutal defeat at the hands of North Korea on Thursday in Bali, Indonesia.

Coach Sinisa Cohadzic’s side fell, 6-0, in the Asian Football Confederation U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in its second match in Group A, and will need to get a win over South Korea to reach the semifinals.

Four goals conceded in the first half spelled doom for the young Filipinas, who after opening their Asian Cup debut with a 6-1 thumping of host Indonesia, remained with three points after two matches.

Should they prevail over South Korea, the Filipinas will advance to the semis where they’ll get two chances to secure a berth in the World Cup slated later this year in the Dominican Republic.

Three spots from the Asian Cup are at stake, namely the two finalists and the winner of the third place match.

South Korea was playing Indonesia at press time, looking to bounce back from losing, 7-0, to North Korea on Monday.

A win will turn the meeting with the Philippines as a virtual knockout for a place in the semis, given to the group’s two best finishers.

North Korea broke the ice in the 17th minute on Jon Il Chong’s opener, beginning a nightmarish spell for the Filipinas as they allowed four goals in a span of 14 minutes.