MANILA – The Philippine women’s football team kicked off its campaign in the 2020 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Asian Qualifiers Round 1 with a resounding 9-0 victory over Singapore on Sunday at the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor, Tajikistan.
Shelah Mae Cadag scored a hat trick, Hali Long and Irish Navaja chipped in two goals each, while Alesa Dolino and Sara Castañeda contributed a conversion each for the national squad.
The Filipinas got their scoring going early in the match with Cadag firing back-to-back goals in the third and fifth minute for a 2-0 edge. Singapore had near goals but the Philippines increased its lead 3-0 on Dolino’s 27th minute hit.
Just before halftime break, the nationals pounded on the Singaporeans further with Long converting her first goal of the game in the 32nd minute before Cadag completed her hat-trick in the 43rd.
The match was already over in the second half but the Philippines did not stop from scoring. Navaja and Long net goals in the 52nd and 59th marks before adding two more hits from Long and Castañeda for the wipeout win.
The Marnelli Dimzon-mentored nationals will have a lengthy break before plunging back
to action against Tajikistan (Nov. 8), Mongolia (Nov. 11) and Chinese Taipei (Nov. 13).
The first round of the 2020 Olympic qualifier was the third time the Philippines competed abroad after recently participating in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and AFF Women’s Championship./PN
