THE Filipinas wanted a win but it got the next best thing when they were only beaten by one goal over host Australia to open the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Sam Kerr scored a header in the 14th minute for the Matildas but the Filipinas avoided a blowout loss by staying disciplined on defense and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel pulling off stops as well over the course of the match.
READ: Filipinas put up a brave stand in 1-0 loss to Matildas in Perth
Hayley Raso nearly made it 2-0 but her goal in the 29th was ruled an offside.
“Obviously disappointed we lost the game, but as I said at the start of the campaign, for us it was all about just fighting right to the end in every single game and I think we saw that,” said Filipinas coach Mark Torcaso.
“So I’m pleased with the team that we did that. Obviously we didn’t get the outcome that we wanted, but it’s good for us to keep growing for our next two games and I'm happy with our outcome.”
The one-goal loss boosted the Filipinas’ chance of progressing as places in the quarterfinals could go down to goal difference. The top two teams in each of the three groups advance along with the best third placers in the tournament.
“It’s a credit to the girls and it's a credit to all the hard work they’ve put in, not only in the last month, but also in the last six months to a year to get to this point where we want to get to another World Cup. I’m proud of the girls. Everyone back at home in the Philippines is proud and I think our country should be very proud of what they did. But now that’s finished and we need to focus on the next game against South Korea,” Torcaso added.
They now fly to Gold Coast where the Filipinas will be up against South Korea on Thursday, where Torcaso expressed readiness against another powerhouse squad that they played against during the semifinals of the 2022 edition.
Korea, also known as the Taegeuk Ladies, later lost to China, 3-2, in that 2022 final in India.
“We’ve already worked on that as well, also keeping in mind we have to work on this game that we just played,” said Torcaso, on studying Korea.
“I think we're ready. I think the girls are ready to confront South Korea and we know that they're a very strong side too. We just have to take each day as it is and hopefully their recovery is good and they're ready to go."
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