THE FILIPINAS’ title bid in the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup hit a road bump on Sunday night after losing to Australia U23, 1-0, at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam.
The Philippines conceded a goal on stoppage time before halftime when Azumi Oka lost the ball at the back to Alana Jancevski, who scored the only goal of the match with a left-footed bouncing ball to the left corner of the net and beyond the reach of Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
READ Filipinas rout Timor-Leste to open defense of ASEAN Cup
The one-goal lead stood until the final whistle, giving Australia U23 its first three points in Group B, and a big win over the reigning champions to keep their hopes of advancing to the semifinals very much alive.
The Philippines also has three points with that 7-0 win over Timor-Leste on opening day, but will need a favorable result against unbeaten Myanmar on Wednesday at the Lach Tray Stadium in Haiphong. Australia U23, on the other hand, faces winless Timor-Leste on the same night at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho.
The top two teams in each of the two groups will advance to the semifinals.
The best chance of the Filipinas came in the 53rd minute when Hali Long’s header off a corner by Chandler McDaniel went right into the hands of Australia U23 goalkeeper Chloe Bell Lincoln.
Australia U23 got a measure of revenge after it lost to the Philippines, 1-0, on July 4, 2022 during the previous edition of the tournament formerly known as the AFF Women's Championship.
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