BALI, INDONESIA — The Philippines’ marketing campaign within the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup got here to a heartbreaking finish because the younger Filipinas may solely muster a 1-1 draw in opposition to South Korea within the remaining group stage match.
Needing a win to progress to the semifinals, coach Sinisa Cohadzic fielded a robust Starting XI, with Nat Collins partnering the returning Alexa Pino up entrance and Nina Mathelus on the left wing.
Left with no alternative however to go for victory, the Philippines began the sport robust because the younger Filipinas took the sport to South Korea from the onset.
A collection of early Philippine corners introduced no outcomes, and a defensive error nearly led to a South Korean objective within the twenty third minute.
On the opposite finish, Alexa Pino, who shone brightly and was a relentless menace within the first half, had a shot hit the put up within the thirtieth minute.
Showing enchancment from their earlier recreation in opposition to North Korea, the Philippines tried efficiently to impose their physicality and gained the 50/50 balls in midfield.
The Philippines would lastly get a objective within the thirty seventh minute off of an Ari Markey nook which curled into the objective, giving the Philippines a one objective lead on the half.
Facing elimination, South Korea made three modifications on the half and duly threw all the things ahead within the second 45 minutes, approaching robust as they looked for the equalizer that might take them by means of to the semis.
However, the turning level of the match, was the substitution for South Korea of extremely touted Casey Phair.
Sixteen-year-old Phair, who performs in NWSL’s Angel City, is the youngest participant in FIFA Women’s World Cup historical past and her introduction halfway by means of the second half would pave the best way for South Korea to equalize in controversial circumstances.
In the 74th minute, Phair appeared to tug down Filipinas defender Aiselyn Sia, however the referee let play proceed and the South Koreans had been quickest to the free ball, scoring to degree the scoreline.
With South Korea on the ascendancy, it was going to be robust for the Philippines to get the winner and the sport would finish with the younger Filipinas in tears.
Cohadzic was diplomatic concerning the consequence.
“It’s a proud moment to be able to play against South Korea in such a tight game and to be honest, we probably should have won in the end, but it wasn’t to be”, mentioned Cohadzic.
“We had a game plan, we were very organized in many moments of the game. We wanted to press, we wanted to play zonally. We knew in every moment of the game what we wanted, and it’s nearly paid off.”
“Ultimately, [undone by] that unlucky goal which is probably a little bit questionable, but again, it is what it is. We just move on.”
The ladies will really feel exhausting from the consequence, however can take nice coronary heart within the event, particularly in the best way they bounced again from the loss to North Korea final Thursday.
Goalkeeper Bri Baker would be the first to confess she was removed from her finest final trip in opposition to North Korea however she duly made amends on this do-or-die match in opposition to South Korea, the place the 17-year-old made essential saves repeatedly.
In the top, it was a draw that basically felt like a loss. It was additionally a proverbial story of two halves, with the Philippines unable to maintain a robust begin and South Korea basically imposing their will within the second half.
The nature of the elimination – going out on objective distinction – isn’t the simplest to swallow, most particularly because the Philippines may have certified had they been extra scientific within the first group stage match in opposition to Indonesia.
But, to paraphrase the cliché, the longer term is vibrant for the U17 Filipinas and the Philippine girls’s soccer program.
“Thirteen of them will stay in this age group which is another great bonus for these group of players”, mentioned Cohadzic.
“Many of these girls will go U20s level and some of them are already in the seniors setup, so this is already setup for us to improve as we go forward.”
“It all comes down for us developing these girls to play in the senior national team and what we’ve seen in this tournament is that these girls can compete in this level and that is just going to make us a better national team going forward.”
There had been some questions on way forward for Philippines’ Women’s National Team after 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, however after these three video games, I believe that query has been answered.
As we’ve seen within the final week, with continued help and the best program in place, the way forward for girls’s soccer is safe.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
