By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Philippine women’s football squad continued its dominant outing in the ongoing 2023 Olympic Qualifying Tournament after grabbing its second-straight victory last April 9, 2023, held at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan.
After a 4-0 win over Pakistan in their debut match, the Filipinas just displayed one of its best offensive performances after an 8-0 demolition over Tajikistan to keep the lead in Group E of the tournament.
There was nothing that the host nation could do once the Filipinas asserted their mastery and just continued to pile goal after goal that wrapped up the contest as early as the end of the first half where they already held a 6-0 lead.
The Filipinas kicked off their scoring show in the 26th minute when Sofia Harrison cashed in a thundering goal using her left foot inside the penalty box.
Harrison’s goal would then be added by Tahnai Annis after volleying a scrambled possession that left Tajikistan speechless when the ball suddenly hit the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
Before the half closed, Carleigh Frilles, Quinely Quezada, Meryll Serrano, and Maya Alcantara each fired a goal apiece that sucked the life out of Tajikistan heading into the second half.
Despite a much-improved defensive game for the hosts, the Filipinas still managed to add two more conversions courtesy of a brace from star striker Chandler McDaniel.
McDaniel sent in her first goal in the 60th minute and put the cherry on top one minute before the game whistle ended.
The Filipinas will have a chance to kick off their Olympic Qualifying Tournament with a 3-0 start if they handle their business against Hong Kong on April 11, 2023.
