Filipinas officially out of Olympic football qualifiers

Philippine women’s football team in the AFC Asian Qualifiers. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Filipinas were officially eliminated from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament after Uzbekistan claimed a 3-0 win over India on Wednesday.

A loss or a draw by Uzbekistan was all the Filipinas needed to qualify for the third round of the Paris Olympic qualifier, but it wasn’t to be as the campaign of coach Mark Torcaso’s side was cut short despite claiming a 1-0 win over Iran a few hours ago in Perth, Australia.

South Korea and China earlier played a 1-1 tie in Xiamen while Vietnam suffered a 2-0 defeat to Japan in Tashkent, giving the Philippines a ray of hope while scoreboard-watching.

Both the Philippines and Uzbekistan have six points apiece, but the latter advanced to face Australia in a two-legged playoff for a spot in the Olympics on goal difference.

Uzbekistan had a +2 differential after two wins and one draw in Group C while the Philippines had a -4, no thanks to Sunday’s harsh 8-0 loss to Australia.

South Korea was the other second place team, posting five points on one win and two draws in Group B.

Japan and North Korea will face off in a similar two-game affair for the other Olympic berth.

The two playoff matches are slated in February.

The Filipinas began the second round with a 4-1 win over Chinese Taipei last Thursday.