Filipinas U17 blast Indonesia 6-1 in Women’s Asian Cup

2 weeks ago

0 Less than a minute

THE Philippines hit the ground running in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-17 (U1&) Women’s Asian Cup, clobbering host Indonesia, 6-1, in Monday night’s opener at the Kapten Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali.

Alexa Pino and Natalie Collins each scored twice to spark the young Filipinas to the runaway win that put them in a tie with North Korea for the early Group A lead with three points. The North Koreans shut out their rivals from South Korea, 7-0, in the other kickoff matchup.

Ms. Pino opened the floodgates of scoring for the Philippines in the sixth minute when she nodded home Ava Villapando’s cross.

The hosts managed to draw level six minutes later with Claudia Scheunemann sending a volley from almost 30 yards but the young Filipinas reasserted themselves again.

Jael Marie Guy put the visitors back in front with her left-foot strike in the 22nd minute, after which Ariana Markey sneaked one past Indonesian keeper Gadhiza Asnanza in the 29th and Ms. Pino completed her brace in the 35th.

Ms. Collins produced her own double in the 54th and 62nd minutes to complete the romp.

The young Filipinas face an acid test on Thursday versus North Korea. — Olmin Leyba