Late goals lift Filipinas over Hong Kong in Asian Games opener

Photo from One Sports/Paolo Del Rosario

A win is a win, as the saying goes, with the Philippine Women’s National Football Team claiming all three points in a tense opening Asian Games match that nearly ended in a draw. Two last-minute goals from Quinley Quezada and Katrina Guillou, alongside an early penalty from Sarina Bolden, led the Filipinas to a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong in Hangzhou, China.

Rusty first half

In his first game in charge, head coach Mark Torcaso opted for a strong attacking presence, with forwards Bolden, Guillou, Quezada, and Chandler McDaniel all starting. Reina Bonta also got the nod in midfield over Jaclyn Sawicki, while Eva Madarang, who was cut from the World Cup squad, returned as the starting rightback as well.

Despite the familiar names up front, the team was trying out a new formation that saw Bolden out wide on the right. That did not stop her from scoring, though, as she dispatched her spot kick to put the Philippines up just 9 minutes into the game.

Searching for their second, the Filipinas looked to get their attacking rhythm going to unlock Hong Kong’s defense. At the 14’ mark, captain Hali Long played a nice pass to Bolden, who thundered down the right flank. Her cross, however, just sailed over Guillou waiting in the middle.

Another chance came in the 28th minute, as goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel delivered a free kick from within the Philippines’ own half to find Guillou in the opposing box. But the Piteå IF player’s shot was blocked by a defender.

Unable to create clear-cut chances and credit to the opposing side’s defensive organization, the team continued to struggle and could not connect for another goal. By the 39’ mark, Hong Kong found the equalizer off a quick transition. Wai Ki Cheung fired a long-distance shot that nudged the crossbar before bouncing into the net, 1-1.

Relief in the final moments

It was again Hong Kong who had the first real chance of the second half in the 51st minute, quickly moving the ball forward without anyone able to intercept. Chan Yee Hing found herself with space on the edge of the box but botched her shot, much to the relief of the Philippine squad.

Looking to hit back, Bonta found Bolden racing ahead of her defenders on the wing, but her low strike came from a difficult angle and hit the post at the 54’ mark. As the second-chance ball found Sofia Harrison, she crossed to C. McDaniel, who tried to back-heel the ball into the net, to no avail.

Four minutes later, Jessika Cowart lofted the ball towards Guillou as she slipped through Hong Kong’s defenders, but her glancing header went wide.

After an hour of play, Sawicki entered the pitch to provide more balance to the midfield, alongside Meryll Serrano, in the place of Bonta and C. McDaniel. Anicka Castañeda also came on for Bolden for the final 10 minutes of regulation, as the substitutes appeared to be the spark needed to create more chances for the Filipinas.

Filled with a sense of urgency and not wanting to settle for a draw, the team piled on the pressure to nab the go-ahead goal at the 89’ mark. A sloppy tackle on Madarang led to another yellow card for Hong Kong and a free kick near the halfway line. While the set piece itself did not amount to a shot on target, the Philippines had sent enough numbers near the box to cause a scramble in front of goal.

Block after block, but keeper Wai Nga Leung could not gather the ball safely—and finally, Quezada was the quickest to react, forcing the ball into the back of the net.

In the next two minutes, Serrano grabbed possession away from Hong Kong in their own half and spotted Guillou making a run into the box, curling the ball to her teammate. After bringing the ball down, Guillou took a decisive turn and struck cleanly to send the ball past Leung, sealing the final scoreline at 3-1.

Looking ahead

Despite the wasted chances and at times a lack of fluidity in the attack, the Filipinas found their way through to secure the victory and now look to shake off the rust as they eye a result in their next match.

The next uphill battle for the team is world number 20, South Korea, who held Germany to a draw but exited during the group stage of the Women’s World Cup last month. In their previous meeting at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup semifinals, the Taegeuk Ladies snapped the Philippines’ historic World Cup-qualifying run, 2-0, and then went on to become runners-up of the entire tournament. The Filipinas will be seeking a better result this time around, when they take to the pitch again on September 25, Monday, at 7:30 pm (PHT).