BALI, INDONESIA — The Philippines’ marketing campaign within the U17 AFC Women’s Asian Cup obtained off to a wonderful begin with a convincing 6-1 win over hosts Indonesia in a pleasing night within the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali.
A primary half brace from standout Alexa Pino set the tone for the younger Filipinas towards an overmatched Indonesian aspect who merely had no solutions to the Filipinas’ aggressiveness and power all sport lengthy.
A brace from Nat Collins and a properly taken shot from Jael Guy accomplished a convincing victory for the Filipinas, who had been by no means actually threatened all sport lengthy. Defender Ariana Markey additionally capped a stable efficiency on the again with a purpose to her title.
Indonesia did rating a purpose within the sixteenth minute towards the run of play that caught everybody within the stadium abruptly, however in fact that was their one and solely actual likelihood within the sport.
Pino and Collins began up entrance in a 4-4-2 formation for the younger Filipinas, and the dynamic duo stole the present.
Pino’s targets successfully put the sport to mattress, however her general technical talent and aggression drove the younger Filipinas ahead, highlighted by an audacious rainbow flick within the fiftieth minute to elude the defender and create a scoring likelihood.
Collins’ general tenacity and persistence had been the embodiment of the workforce’s efforts, en path to a participant of the match efficiency.
Nat Collins of the Philippines on the 2024 AFC U17 Asian Cup. Photo: PFF/Philippine Women’s National Team
Battling a minor sickness, Nina Mathelus got here on as a sub within the 73rd minute, however she missed a bunch of possibilities that will have elevated the younger Filipinas’ purpose differential.
The missed possibilities would possibly to be show essential, on condition that our subsequent two matches are towards the hardest groups in Group A in North Korea and South Korea, however there may be little doubt that it’ll solely be a matter of time earlier than Nina finds her scoring contact.
Newly elected president of Panay Football Association and former PFF President Nonong Araneta was within the stands to look at the younger Filipinas, and he was all reward for the workforce.
“It was a good performance from the team. Usually in the first game, there are jitters,” stated Araneta. “But our players played well. Although we missed a lot of chances, we’re happy with the result.”
Up subsequent are mighty North Korea, who’ve been within the finals of this competitors seven instances.
The Philippines can be cautious of a North Korea workforce that demolished South Korea, 7-0, however ought to go into that sport boosted by a formidable opening day win, and understanding totally properly that getting a result’s one step nearer to the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Team Manager Jeff Cheng is likewise proud of the end result.
“The players responded very well, despite of some challenges with players not feeling well, I think we can see that players played as a team and I hope the team can carry this forward in the succeeding games.”
He acknowledges the preparation the workforce underwent earlier than going into the event.
Philippines on the 2024 AFC U17 Asian Cup. Photo: PFF/Philippine Women’s National Team
“We’ve done all we can in preparing this team, including bringing some players in this squad to the senior team.”
“We went to MIMA Cup in Spain in February 2024, among other camps, which would have prepared them for the challenge of North Korea and South Korea team.”
The younger Filipinas’ second group stage match can be on May 9 at 4 p.m. Philippine time, the place Nonong Araneta once more asks for the help of everybody within the nation.
“Moving forward we need the support of everyone for the team and the management of the team which has been done a good job so far,” stated Araneta.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
