Filipinas earn FIFA World Cup return with win vs Uzbekistan

MANILA, Philippines – The Filipinas are back on the biggest stage in women’s football.

For the second straight edition, the Philippines qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in their play-in match in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup at the Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia, on Thursday, March 19.

Goals by Angela Beard and Jaclyn Sawicki in the second half allowed the Filipinas to secure a return trip to the World Cup to be hosted by Brazil in 2027 following their maiden appearance in the 2023 edition.

Third time was the charm for Beard after two unsuccessful goal attempts in a scoreless first half as she finally found the back of the net at the 47th minute, converting a left-footed shot from outside the box off a Jael-Marie Guy cross to put the Philippines on the board.

Guy recorded her second assist five minutes later, her cross from the left side finding Sawicki, whose header that sailed past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova doubled the Filipinas’ lead at 2-0.

Frustration boiled over for the Uzbeks as Dilrabo Asadova and Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva were handed yellow cards at the 56th and 58th minutes, respectively, but the Philippines held its composure and kept the clean sheet.

The victory highlighted the brilliant mix of veteran savvy and youthful potential, with 28-year-old Beard and 33-year-old Sawicki connecting with 18-year-old Guy.

Guy, who plays for Brown University in the US NCAA, joined the senior team only last November but has been a pivotal player, helping the Filipinas rule the Southeast Asian Games for the first time ever in Thailand in December. 

“We came here with a young squad, aged between 18 and 24. To have future stars to start at the world stage, and play well in big games, and for the World Cup is a testament to her and her family,” said Philippine head coach Mark Torcaso of Guy. 

It was a dazzling finish to a rather rocky Asian Cup campaign that saw the Filipinas win just one game in the group stage then suffer a 7-0 drubbing from Japan in the quarterfinals. 

That loss to Japan prevented the Philippines from replicating its qualification to the 2023 World Cup when it reached the final four of the 2022 Asian Cup with a tense penalty shootout victory over Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals. 

But the Filipinas made sure not to waste their second crack at the World Cup. 

The Philippines joins Japan, Australia, China, and South Korea in the 32-nation World Cup, with Chinese Taipei and North Korea battling for the last Asian slot. – Rappler.com