THE Filipinas yielded a close 1-2 decision to Costa Rica yesterday (Tuesday in Central America) at the end of their two-match friendly duel at the 23,000-seat Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica.
The Nationals nursed a 1-0 halftime edge courtesy of a nifty left-footed marker by midfielder Carleigh Frilles, who slipped past three defenders to score the go-ahead goal in the 47th minute past goalie Daniela Solera.
But the charges of Australian coach Alen Stajcic just could not hang on against the pressing hosts, whose efforts were rewarded with goals in a span of seven minutes, courtesy of skipper Raquel Rodriguez and forward Fabiola Villalobos.
After a handball violation by defender Jessica Cowart inside the penalty area, Rodriguez calmly converted a penalty kick, the ball hitting the lower left corner of the net, in the 61st then Villalobos had a fabulous marker, a swirling 25-yard volley from the left flank in the 68th minute.
Rejuvenated by the two goals, the Las Ticas, as the Costa Ricans are known (ranked No. 37 to their rivals’ No. 53 in the FIFA women’s world ratings), dominated the rest of the match en route to victory.
Skipper Tahnai Aniss had a chance to put the Filipinas up 2-0 in the 51st but her penalty kick hit the left goal post and was quickly cleared by the Costa Rican defense.
The World Cup-bound Filipinas, who had been in the Costa Rican capital for nearly two weeks of training, had earlier drawn with the hosts 1-1 in the first friendly last Oct. 7, thanks to a last-gasp equalizer by forward Katrina Guillou.
The nationals are expected to take a break before returning to their training camp in Irvine, California where Stajcic and his coaching staff are expected to plot their next moves in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 that will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The draw for the tournament will be held on Oct. 22 at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.
