MANILA – Meryll Serrano continued her scintillating form in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, leading the Philippine women’s football team to a resounding 6-0 win over Cambodia on Wednesday night at the National Olympic Stadium in Cambodia.
Serrano starred with a brace, including a long-range strike in the 36th minute, after opening her account in the 19th minute to lead Filipinas to their second win in as many game.
Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso’s side controlled the match from the outset, seizing a four-goal advantage by halftime.
Alexa Pino got things rolling in the 18th minute before Serrano netted consecutive goals and an own goal by Cambodia, coming off a misdirected clearance from a Sofia Harrison-Wunsch cross in the 40th minute, extended the margin to 4-0.
Filipinas team captain Hali Long added to the tally shortly after the break with her 48th minute conversion before Chandler McDaniel made it a 6-0 score with a composed finish in the 56th.
The only blemish on an otherwise flawless evening for Filipinas came late in the second half when substitute Nina Mathelus was sent off with a straight red card for a challenge deemed dangerous by the referee.
With the victory, the Philippines now sits atop Group G with six points and a +9 goal difference. A draw against second-placed Hong Kong (4 points) on Saturday would be enough to secure a berth in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Cambodia, meanwhile, will conclude its campaign against Saudi Arabia at 8:00 p.m. on the same day./PN
