By NIKOLE JAVIER
The Philippine national women’s football team got into a rocky start in its 2023 Pinatar Cup campaign after absorbing a 1-0 loss to the higher-ranked Wales at the Pinatar Arena in Spain on Wednesday, Feb. 15 (Thursday, Manila time).
The Filipinas couldn’t convert an equalizer after playing a promising defense for most of the first half against the 32nd-ranked Welsh side.
National team center-back Dominique Randle handed over a penalty after a miscue on her end just as the first half was about to conclude, giving Kayleigh Green of Wales the chance to nail the first and only goal of the match past Philippine goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel at the 45th minute.
Staring at the deficit, the Filipinas quickly sprung back to action in the ensuing half with Katrina Guillou being brought in and firing a good shot at the 47th minute which was ultimately turned back by Wales keeper Safia Middleton-Patel.
Despite being limited in possessions for most of the contest, the national team refused to let the Welsh get their way once more in added time with McDaniel’s crucial save that kept the score at 1-nil.
However, time would run out for any last-ditch effort as the Filipinas will remain scoreless in full-time.
In the earlier play, Iceland defeated Scotland, 2-0, to surge to an early lead in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the 53rd-ranked Filipinas will attempt to bounce back against the world No. 25. Scotland on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10 p.m. (Manila time) at the same venue.
No comments:
Post a Comment