Filipinas beat Hong Kong in Asian Games opener

Filipinas’ Katrina Guillou during a match against Hong Kong at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.–PILIPINAS WNFT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines scored two goals late to survive upset-minded Hong Kong, 3-1, on Friday and give new coach Mark Torcaso a winning start to his tenure in the women’s football competitions of the Hangzhou Asian Games on Friday.

Quinley Quezada scored amid a scramble in the box before the end of normal time before Katrina Guillou provided an insurance goal to assure the Filipinas of the full three points at Wenzhou Sports Center Stadium.

Both goals completed the escape act of the Philippines against the team it had beaten handily last April in the first round of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

It was also the Filipinas’ first match since their debut appearance in the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

Torcaso was able to steer the team to victory after being tapped last month to succeed coach Alen Stajcic, who left after the World Cup.

Things looked bright after Sarina Bolden scored from the spot nine into the match for her 23rd career goal in a Filipinos shirt.

But Hong Kong stunned the Filipinas in the 39th when Cheung Wai Ki fired a long-range attempt which goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel couldn’t prevent.

The scoreline stood until the 89th when confusion near the goal line allowed Quezada to tap in the go-ahead score to put the Filipinas on top.

Quezada restored her tie with Bolden for most goals all-time by a Philippine women’s player.

Guillou would add the Filipinas’ third goal a minute into stoppage time, spinning past a defender before putting the ball in the back of the net.