UNDAUNTED by the slightly higher ranking of their rivals, the Philippines swamped Papua New Guinea 5-1 yesterday in the first of two friendly matches at the Wanderers Football Park in Sydney, Australia.
Frisky midfielder Carleigh Frilles underscored the dominance of the Filipinas, scoring a brace with goals in the 29th and 60th minutes while skipper Tahnai Aniss (38th), Eva Madarang (56th) and debuting Meryll Serrano (77th) had one marker each for the World Cup-bound Nationals.
Striker Sonia Embahe scored the lone marker for the Lakatois, Papua New Guinea’s moniker, who are ranked 51st in the FIFA women’s world rankings, two notches higher than the charges of Australian coach Alen Stajcic.
It was the first meeting between the two squads, and the Filipinas immediately showed who was the better side as they pressed the advantage from the get-go that had Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Betty Sam on her toes.
After some wide attempts, Frilles finally got the Pinay squad going by smashing a left-footed volley from 30 feet after teammate Jessika Cowart intercepted a clearance by a Papuan defender.
Aniss then went on a solo drive from the left wing, slipping past two defenders to slot in the goal that gave the Filipinas a 2-0 halftime lead.
