Photo from the AFC
With a thrilling 1-0 victory over Vietnam, the Philippine Under-17 Women’s National Football Team qualifies for the 2024 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup thanks to Isabella Preston’s incredible free-kick goal.
Isabella Preston emerged as the glimmer of hope for the Philippine Under-17 Women’s National Football Team in a thrilling match with a spot in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup on the line. The Filipinas defeated Vietnam 1-0 in the second qualifying round of the 2024 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Hanoi thanks to a single, thundering strike from a free kick in the 56th minute that cemented her name in history. The youngsters secured second place in Group B as the last whistle reverberated across the field, with their spirits soaring high.
Road to Victory
The Philippines’ path had its share of highs and lows. They began with a difficult 6-2 loss to Australia but recovered with a convincing 3-1 win over Bangladesh. Due to Sienna Dale’s four goals for the Junior Matildas, Australia dominated Bangladesh 4-0 in the earlier match, topping Group B with 9 points after three straight victories. With one victory and two losses, Vietnam finished third in Group B with 3 points, while Bangladesh finished last with 3 losses in a row.
Chances after Chances
Both teams had their early opportunities, with Vietnam’s swift forward Ngan Thi Thanh Hieu often threatening to take the lead. As the first half progressed, the players began to find their rhythm, with Sophia Saludares coming dangerously near to scoring on several occasions with her long-range attempts.
The youngsters displayed defensive discipline with the center-backs successfully stopping any Vietnamese attacks. Samantha Hughes, the goalie, made several big stops to put the opposition at bay. But the first 45 minutes of play ended with a score of 0-0 despite everyone’s best efforts.
The Heroic Moment
The courage and skill of Isabella Preston is something that Filipino football fans will never forget. Her amazing free-kick goal not only ensured the Philippines’ participation in the Asian Cup, but also highlighted their tenacity and determination to triumph.
A Glorious Future
As their spot in the competition is now confirmed, the young Filipinas will be preparing to participate and improve their performance. They will join an esteemed lineup of teams, including hosts Indonesia, past podium finishers Japan, North Korea, China, South Korea, and Thailand from Group A, as well as Australia from Group B.
As they prepare to compete against the best players in Asia, the young Filipinas are motivated to leave a long legacy of success as they continue their journey of resiliency and tenacity, just like their ates.
Ven is a passionate advocate for women’s football in the Philippines, actively promoting its growth and development. Through her podcast, Futbol Brew, she engages in insightful one-on-one conversations with players and offers match previews and fan discussions, highlighting the journey of the Philippine Women’s National Team to their first-ever World Cup. Since 2013, her involvement in Pinay Futbol has revolved around spreading the love for the sport through social media and other events. Additionally, she’s an active supporter of the Women’s League and proudly serves as one of the incorporators of the Philippine Women’s Football Association
