DESPITE a marked improvement over their previous game, the Filipinas dropped a 1-2 decision to South Korea last Monday night at the close of their two-match friendly series at the Icheon Sports Complex in Incheon, South Korea.
The Taeguk Ladies, South Korea’s moniker, dominated the first half and were up 2-0 at the break on goals by Choo Hyo-Joo and Choe Yu-ri in the first and 33rd minutes, respectively.
With the charges of Australian coach Mark Torcaso playing more aggressively, defender Angela Beard finally scored her first goal in the 73rd minute for the Nationals, who lost 0-3 in their opening match last week.
Despite the loss, Torcaso was still pleased with how the Filipinas played, saying: “It was a bit of a rollercoaster, up-and-down. Obviously, we conceded a goal in the first 35 seconds of the game. And the way the players responded to those first few minutes of the game was absolutely excellent.
“I’m so proud of the way the girls conducted themselves. Even when they went 2-nil down, they still fought hard and they gave us a chance,” he added. “I couldn’t be prouder of this group of girls, this country, all our staff, all our players. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result.”
