MANILA – The Philippine women’s national football team clinched a spot in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup after grinding out 1-0 victory over Hong Kong on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Forward Chandler McDaniel delivered the decisive blow early in the match, scoring the lone goal that ultimately sealed the Filipinas’ third consecutive win in Group G of the qualifiers.
The goal not only secured the top spot in the group but also completed a dominant sweep of their qualification campaign after their earlier victories against Saudi Arabia (3-0) and Cambodia (6-0).
After Chandler’s breakthrough, Hong Kong nearly equalized in the 20th minute through a close-range attempt from Cheung Wai Ki. But Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, Chandler’s sister, stood tall between the posts and made a critical save to preserve the 1-0 lead.
Hong Kong mounted sustained pressure throughout the second half, desperately trying to break through the Filipinas’ defense. But the Philippine backline held firm to keep a clean sheet.
“We knew how important this game was, and everyone gave everything to get us to the Asian Cup,” said Chandler McDaniel after the match. “It’s a proud moment for all of us.”
With the win, the Philippines joined an elite cast of qualified teams for next year’s continental showpiece: host nation Australia, along with China, Japan, South Korea, and Bangladesh.
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup will also serve as the final qualification phase for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil./PN
