Historic Asian Cup stint now within Filipinos’ reach

Dionesa Tolentin (No. 5) celebrates her goal. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL FEDERATION

The Philippines closed in on securing a historic spot in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup after defeating Turkmenistan, 2-0, in the Group C qualifiers on Wednesday at Yunusobod Sport Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Katrina Guillou scored once more while Dionesa Tolentin added the insurance goal as the Philippine side grabbed the lead in the group with seven points on two wins and one draw with a game against Australia left.

Coach Rafa Merino’s side leapfrogged Australia and group host Uzbekistan to put itself in a strong position to qualify for the Asian Cup as one of the top two teams in Group C or the best third placer among the four groups.

The Filipino futsal squad will take on Australia on Sunday to close its qualifying stint, hoping to meet high expectations of Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez, who is currently caught in a rift with former backer Danny Moran and Merino’s predecessor, Vic Hermans.

Australia is second in the group with six points in two matches followed by Uzbekistan with four points after having the same amount of games.

The two countries face off on Friday before Uzbekistan battles Turkmenistan also on Sunday.

Neck-and-neck

A top two finish will be the safest route for the Philippines since the battle for the best third-place spot is neck-and-neck.

Palestine is ahead with three points, which it compiled in Group A, Uzbekistan has one point while Myanmar and India have yet to produce points in Group D and B, respectively.

Guillou scored her third goal of the qualifiers almost three minutes into the second half that broke the ice before Tolentin doubled the lead, 10:04 left in the contest.

Turkmenistan absorbed its second loss in as many games.