ALTHOUGH she played only for 58 minutes, skipper Tahnai Annis made the biggest impact in the Filipinas’ 7-0 rout of Singapore last night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium
The do-it-all Annis scored a brace as the Filipinas seized the Group A lead in the 15th Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship with their second straight victory in front of an appreciative hometown crowd.
Doing a yeoman’s job for the Filipinas, Aniss scored in the 10th minute off an own-goal by Singapore goalie Beatrice Tan, then scored anew on a long looping header in the 19th minute as she anchored the hosts to their second straight win after a 1-0 upset of Australia last Monday.
With her accurate cross passes, Annis also set up Sarina Bolden, who scored the game-winner against Australia, for another header in the 38th minute and newcomer Kaya Hawkinson, who scored on a glancing header 11 minutes into the second half.
Slipping past two Singapore defenders, teener Isabella Flanigan opened the scoring floodgates in the 8th minute, Sara Eggsevik had one in the 56th, and Anicka Castaneda, coming off the bench in the second half, added the seventh marker on a follow-up in the 69th minute.
With the victory assured, Annis earned a well-deserved respite and was relieved by Kathleen Rodriguez in the 58th minute of the competition organized by the Philippine Football Federation.
With their second consecutive win, the charges of coach Alen Stajcic moved proudly on top in Group A with six points while the Singaporeans absorbed their first loss in two matches after a scoreless draw with Malaysia last Monday.
Earlier, Thailand refused to be cowed by Australia, showing remarkable resiliency in rallying for a well-earned 2-all draw against the Australians.
Down at 1-2 at the break, the never-say-die Thais levelled the count through Ploychomphoo Somnuek, who struck with a nifty 20-yard volley that hit the top right corner of the net beyond Aussie goalie Jada Mathyssen-Whyman’s reach in the 60th minute.
Kanyanat Chetthabutr had earlier kept the four-time AFF Women’s football champions in the thick of the fight by scoring their first goal from near the midcourt line in the 40th minute, hitting the ball just hard enough past Mathyssen-Wyman, who strayed too far out of the net.
Following their 4-0 rout of Indonesia last Monday, the Thai charges of Japanese coach Miyo Okamoto had four points and were in second spot in the group.
The Matildas had only one point to show in two matches.
Stajcic made some changes in his starting lineup, tapping Inna Palacios, making her 50th cap, as the goalie over Oliva McDaniel while giving midfielder Hawkinson and defender Maya Alcantara their national team debuts.
“Obviously, this showed we have a deep bench and the great unity of the team,” Stajcic said.
The Filipinas try to further enhance their semifinal prospects when they go for their third consecutive victory at the expense of Malaysia, which drew 1-1 with Indonesia at the Binan Stadium, tomorrow.
VICTORIOUS: Isabella Flanigan exults after scoring the first goal for the Filipinas.
