BANKING on their all-around scoring depth, the Filipinas shut out the United Arab Emirates 4-0 late Tuesday night to sweep their two-game friendly series at the UAE Football Association’s Theyab Awana Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Women’s World Cup veteran midfielder Sara Eggesvik scored the icebreaker in the 34th minute and the other goals were scored in the second half by striker Carleigh Frilles (54th) skipper and defender Hali Long (62nd) and striker Chandler McDaniel (74th).
The charges of Australian coach Mark Torcaso were able to repeat over the UAE booters, who also lost 1-4 in their initial encounter last week, capping their first overseas training camp as they prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group G qualifying tournament in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in June.
“They (UAE) sat in a different formation so we had to be a little more patient on the ball. We got a little frustrated — me individually included — in the first half, but we just kept wearing them down and kept the ball moving,” said forward Katrina Guillou, who acted more as a facilitator.
“We definitely picked our moments of opportunity towards the end of the first half and definitely in the second half moving forward. Just perseverance from the team, good service, and good finishes,” added Guillou, who was named Player of the Match.
Torcaso was generally pleased with the attacking style of the Filipinas, who are in the early stages of seeking a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil two years from now.
“To score eight goals in the last two games is very good. Lots of different goal scorers as well, which is good for us,” noted Torcaso.
“But again, it’s about building on the way we want to play and hopefully in the highlights you’ll see the really good goals we scored. Really pleased with how the girls played in the last two games,” he added.
As the top ranked squad in the qualifiers at No. 41 in the FIFA women’s world rankings, the Filipinas can expect intense defensive pressure against lower-rated rivals Saudia Arabia (No. 166), Hong Kong (No. 80) and Cambodia (No. 118) when they compete in the Cambodian capital beginning on June 29.
“We need to understand that we’re going to play in the Asian Cup Qualifiers, and we’re going to be playing teams like this that are defensively very good,” the Aussie tactician pointed out.
“So, playing UAE now is extremely good because we’re going to come up against Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia. They’re going to do the same thing in the qualifiers, so we wanted to be prepared for that,” Torcaso explained.
He underscored the discipline and patience of the National in setting up their attacks.
“The girls were very good in possession, and we scored some really good goals. It’s about building towards the Asian Cup qualifiers and we’re really looking forward to that.”
The Filipinas will resume their build-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in the next FIFA window from May 26 to June, where they are scheduled to play two friendly games at home.
