HAD an auspicious start to its 2020 Olympic Asian Qualifiers bid last weekend, the Philippine women’s national football team looks to sustain it as it returns to the pitch today against host Tajikistan at the Hisor Central Stadium.
Fresh from their 9-0 demolition of Singapore on Nov. 4, the Philippine Malditas go for their second win in Group A of the tournament and put more leg in their push to the next round of the qualifiers.
In beating Singapore, the Malditas were thorough right from kickoff.
Shelah Cadag got the scoring going early, notching two of her hat trick inside the first five minutes of the contest.
Ms. Alesa Dolino and Ms. Hali Long joined the fray with goals in the 27th and 32nd minute, respectively, before Ms. Cadag completed her hat trick in the 43rd minute and hand the Philippines a commanding 5-0 lead at the halfway point.
In the second half, the Philippine national football team juggernaut continued.
Irish Navaja made it 6-0 for the Malditas when she scored in the 52nd minute.
Sara Castañeda followed it up with another goal five minutes later before Ms. Long added one in the 59th minute.
Ms. Navaja connected in the 67th minute to complete the rout.
Waiting for the Malditas today is Tajikistan, currently at third spot in Group A with a 1-1 card.
The hosts won over Mongolia, 4-1, in their opener on Sunday then bowed to Chinese Taipei, 9-0, on Tuesday.
In the Olympic Asian Qualifiers the winners in the four groups, runners-up and two best third-placed teams advance to the second round, which begins play in April next year.
Making up the Philippine team seeing action in Tajikistan are players culled mostly from teams playing in the Philippine Football Federation Women’s League 2018 and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
The first round of the Asian Qualifiers is ongoing until Nov. 13 — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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