Jane DeFazio’s strong showing highlights the Filipinas’ victory. —PWNT PHOTO
As Maz Pacheco continues to wait for her debut, the Philippine women’s football team saw a small sample size of what Jane DeFazio can provide in the long run with an impressive opening act.
DeFazio highlighted her first international cap with an assist that set up one of Sarina Bolden’s two goals as the Filipinas defeated Jordan, 3-0, on Saturday in the Pink Ladies Week held in Antalya, Turkiye.
“It’s a very rewarding feeling,” DeFazio said of her contribution in the result that also saw a crucial save from Olivia McDaniel in the second half and a third goal courtesy of Katrina Guillou from the spot.
The 23-year-old DeFazio and Pacheco were included by coach Mark Torcaso for the ongoing camp that will also see the Philippines face Kenya on Wednesday. Both prospects have been touted as players to watch for the national women’s team.
But Pacheco was limited to joining the Filipinas only during training sessions as the Aston Villa defender is still in the process of securing her Philippine passport. That, however, didn’t dampen both the result and DeFazio’s play on the pitch.
Industrious play
Bolden’s opener two minutes into the match came with help from DeFazio, who during the counterattack sent a cross that enabled the Filipinas talisman to head the ball into the net.
“Right from the first whistle, we’ve able to implement what we’ve been working on. And in those first five minutes, it worked,” said DeFazio, whose impact was more than that assist as she showed her industrious play, particularly on the attacking side.
The defender who plays for the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League also had a hand in setting up Bolden, who after receiving DeFazio’s ball was fouled inside the box that resulted in a penalty.
Bolden converted the penalty kick in the 68th for a landmark 30th international goal, putting the Filipinas in a comfortable position after McDaniel came through with a stop from the same spot minutes earlier.
Guillou added a third goal, also a penalty, in the 77th after Quinley Quezada was the recipient of a reckless challenge by a Jordanian defender near the goal.
“It’s just a really motivated group, and we’ve been working hard leading into this game,” said DeFazio. INQ