The Under-17 Philippine Women’s National Football Team lost versus Korea DPR, 0-6, on Thursday in the 2024 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in Bali, putting the young Filipinas in a do-or-die match against Korea Republic on May 12.
“There’s no giving up for our young Filipinas,” said Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez. “These brave girls will give their all against Korea Republic. We are one with them in beating the odds, in achieving another World Cup dream for our country. Tuloy-tuloy lang natin ang pagsuporta para sa ating U17 team.”
The North Koreans had a strong first half, piling four goals in a span of 14 minutes (17th to 31st minute), capped by a brace by Jon Il-chong.
Choe Chong-gum and Son Jo-ye added two goals in the second half.
In the second game, Korea Republic scored 12 goals and conceding none against host Indonesia and are tied with the Philippines at second place in Group A with three points.
With their big win, however, the South Koreans padded their goal difference to +5 while the Filipinas are at -1.
This means that the U17 Filipinas are in a must win situation against Korea Republic to advance to the semifinals as a draw will relegate them to third place owing to inferior goal difference.
Nonetheless, hope is not lost for the young Filipinas, who had two shots, all on target, against the two-time U17 Women’s World Cup champion.
