THE Filipina5 gave defending champion Iran the fits yesterday before dropping a heartbreaking 0-1 decision at the start of Group B action in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup at the Hohhot Sports Center in Hohhot, China.
Behind a stellar defense and outstanding goaltending by teener Samantha Hughes, the charges of Spanish coach Rafa Rodriguez came just two minutes and 54 seconds in forcing a draw against the highly-fancied Iranians, ranked No. 9 in the world, for what would have been a monumental upset.
The back-to-back champions were saved from embarrassment by Maral Torkaman, who struck from 15 feet just inside the goalbox to an open net from a feed by Sara Shirbeigi after Hughes, 17, strayed outside her post in foiling Shirbeigi’s earlier booter.
The Iranian bench, led by coach Forouzan Suleimani, who raised her hands and looked to the sky in relief, erupted with joy immediately after Torkaman’s goal as they avoided what would have been a disastrous draw against a PH side that was ranked 46 spots lower in the ranking.
The victory was worth three points and the early group lead in the tournament serving as the continental qualifying tournament for the 1st FIFA Women’s World Futsal Asian Cup the Philippines will host in November.
The valiant Nationals will have a two-day break before playing Vietnam, which was set to face Hong Kong in the other group match later in the day, tomorrow.
This Philippine squad is not the same one that took a 1-6 lacing at the hands of the Vietnamese, who won the Asean Women’s Football Championship at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City by nipping Thailand 2-1 in the finals.
With the poise and composure that they showed against the vaunted Iranians, the Filipina5 can be expected to hold their own against Vietnam and stay alive for one of the two slots available in the group in advancing to the knockout round.
The Philippines took the early initiative as Isabella Bandoja nearly scored in the third minute against Iranian goalie Farnazeh Tavasoli in a one-on-one situation before Isabella Flanigan chipped over the goal on the follow-up.
Playing compact and with fluidity defensively, the Nationals repeatedly denied their rivals clear looks at the goal until that late lapse in the final period.
