The Philippine women’s national football team is gearing up for a busy 2025 calendar with dominant back-to-back friendly wins against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signaling strong form ahead of several international tournaments.
The Filipinas overwhelmed the UAE in two friendly matches held in Dubai, posting a 4-1 win on April 4 and a 4-0 shutout on April 8, for a commanding 8-1 aggregate score.
These matches are part of the team’s preparations for major upcoming competitions, including the 2025 ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, and the Southeast Asian Games.
Long-time team captain Hali Long hit a personal milestone with goals in both games, reaching 20 international goals and becoming the third highest-scoring Filipina in history.
Reigning PFF Women’s Cup MVP Chandler McDaniel led the offensive charge with three goals, including a brace in the first game and another in the second, bringing her international goal tally to nine.
Also contributing to the scoring were Meryll Serrano, who netted in the first game, and Sara Eggesvik and Carleigh Frilles, who each scored in the second.
Frilles, Eggesvik, and Serrano now hold 13, 6, and 5 international goals, respectively, further reinforcing the team’s scoring depth.
UAE’s only goal came late in the first game, courtesy of Naeema Juma in the 89th minute.
“Congratulations to our women,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez. “The Filipinas did their very best despite not having their top two scorers and I think UAE is a good test on how our team can play with a killer’s instinct against lower ranked teams in the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers in July.”
“I am satisfied with their performance because they did not mind their discrepancy in ranking, not taking their opponent lightly,” Gutierrez added.
Top scorers Sarina Bolden of Como and Quinley Quezada of Manila Digger were unavailable due to injuries but are expected to return for future tournaments.
The Filipinas’ recent success mirrors a similar performance in 2017, when they defeated UAE 4-0 during the 2018 Asian Cup qualifiers, with goals from Eva Madarang, Sara Castaneda, and Irish Navaja.
The PFF has committed continued support for the team’s preparations, with the UAE friendlies offering both tactical development and match fitness as the Filipinas eye deeper runs in continental and regional competitions.
