Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 30) — The Philippine Women’s National Football Team fell to Japan, 8-1, at the quarterfinals of the 19th Asian Games in China on Saturday, knocking the Filipinas out of medal contention.
In the first half, Filipino Hali Long was expelled from the game 27 minutes in and was substituted by Jaclyn Sawicki.
Just over 10 minutes later, Momoko Tanikawa dropped Japan’s first goal at the 39-minute mark after they were awarded a penalty shot following a handball offense from Isabela Pasion.
Due to heavy rains over the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, the match was delayed at halftime while waiting for the downpour to subside.
Upon resumption, Japan battered the Filipinas with seven more goals.
Haruka Osawa knocked in Japan’s second goal at the 58th minute. Seven minutes later, Chiba Remina scored the third.
Unwilling to back down, attacker Sarina Bolden got one in for the Philippines at the 67th minute. It was the 27-year-old Filipina who earned the Philippines its first goal in a historic match versus New Zealand in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, in a dominant display of skill, Japanese striker Mami Ueno then scored four goals versus the Philippines in the second half, within just 30 minutes of field time.
Ueno netted the fifth goal 76 minutes in after Japan was awarded with a penalty due to Alisha Del Campo’s tackle inside the box.
Her second goal came just 60 seconds later at 77 minutes, the third – fulfilling a hat trick – came shortly after at 81 minutes.
Ueno then completed her haul – dropping four goals in a single game – at 91 minutes.
Even though they were bested, the Filipinas celebrated their performance at the quadrennial games.
\”Despite overwhelming odds–grit, determination and heart are all that matter,\” the team said after the match. \”We bow out of the #HangzhouAsianGames with our heads held high.\”
The Filipinas started off their Asian Games run with a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong.
