SYDNEY — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is proud of the Philippine women’s national football team, the Filipinas, for a courageous and inspiring campaign in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, even as world number eight and two-time Asian Cup champion Japan secured a 7–0 victory in the quarterfinals on Sunday at Stadium Australia.
Despite the result, the Filipinas’ journey in the tournament is far from over, as they now move into a crucial play-in match against Uzbekistan for a place in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez praised the team’s resilience and emphasized that the campaign has been both inspiring and gratifying for Philippine football.
The Filipinas delivered a campaign that every Filipino can be proud of, fighting bravely against three of the best teams in Asia in Australia, Korea Republic, and Japan. They definitely showed the character that defines our national team.
Gutierrez added: “While Japan proved their elite class today, our World Cup dream remains alive and we now move forward with determination as the Filipinas prepare for the play-in match against Uzbekistan.”
Japan, known as the Nadeshiko, entered the quarterfinal as one of the favorites to win the tournament and demonstrated their quality with clinical finishing in the latter stages of the match. However, the Filipinas displayed discipline and determination throughout the contest, particularly in the first half, where young goalkeeper Nina Meollo produced a remarkable series of saves.
The 21-year-old Ipswich Town goalkeeper was handed her first start of the tournament and responded with an outstanding performance, recording 11 saves against one of Asia’s most potent attacking sides.
Meollo began her impressive display as early as the fourth minute when she denied a shot from Japan captain Yui Hasegawa. She followed that with another save in the 12th minute, stopping a long-range effort from Aoba Fujino.
Japan continued to press, but Meollo repeatedly rose to the challenge. She saved Fujino’s cross intended for Toko Koga in the 15th minute, then denied Hinata Miyazawa’s header in the 23rd minute. The Filipina goalkeeper added further stops against Kiko Seike and Fujino before Jessika Cowart also made a key defensive block in the 40th minute to deny another Japanese strike.
Meollo’s reflexes were again on display in the 42nd minute when she saved a powerful shot from Honoka Hayashi, keeping the match scoreless deep into the first half.
Japan eventually broke the deadlock in the 45th minute when Utah Royals striker Mina Tanaka capitalized on an intense scramble inside the six-yard box to push the ball across the goal line. Moments later, center-back Koga doubled the lead with a header from Hayashi’s left-sided inswinging corner delivery during stoppage time.
Japan extended their advantage in the second half as Remina Chiba scored in the 65th minute, followed shortly after by Manaka Matsukubo two minutes later.
Koga added her second goal in the 76th minute from another set-piece situation, while Momoko Tanikawa and Riko Ueki rounded out the scoring late in the match.
Japan head coach Nils Nielsen acknowledged the Filipinas’ defensive discipline, particularly in the early stages of the game.
Honestly, I think the Philippines defended just as disciplined and just as well as we thought they would. It was a difficult match until we scored the first goal. But once we scored, the game opened up for us.
For the Filipinas, the quarterfinal marked another valuable learning experience against one of the world’s elite sides.
Meollo expressed pride in the team’s effort and quickly turned her focus toward the next challenge.
I’m very proud of every single one of us. Every one of the girls put their body on the line and we fought for each other. It was a challenging game, but it’s always an honor to play for the flag and represent the Philippines.
“We have to quickly turn the page and focus on the next match,” she added. “That next match is the one that can take us to the World Cup.”
Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso also highlighted the team’s fighting spirit, particularly against the formidable opponents they faced throughout the tournament.
“We don’t want to lose any game that we play, but we also understand we were playing against probably one of the best teams in the world,” Torcaso said. “I’m extremely proud of the girls and the effort they put in tonight.”
Torcaso emphasized that the Filipinas’ journey in the tournament has included facing some of Asia’s strongest sides.
It’s not publicized enough that the Philippines have played three of the best teams in Asia, and I believe probably three of the best teams in the world as well. We’ve done a really good job competing against them, and those experiences have helped put us in a position where we still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup.
The coach also praised Meollo’s performance in goal, noting her development within the national team program.
“Nina has been part of our process for the last two and a half years, and to see her perform the way she did tonight was outstanding,” Torcaso said. “She showed tremendous character and quality, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way she stepped up.”
Torcaso added that the Filipinas’ disciplined first-half performance against Japan was another sign of the team’s progress.
“To hold a team like Japan close to halftime was something I was very proud of as a coach,” he said. “These girls fight in every single match and represent the country with pride.”
The Filipinas now turn their attention to the decisive play-in match that will determine whether the Philippines secures a direct ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The all-important play-in game for one of six AFC tickets to the tournament will see the Philippines face Uzbekistan on Thursday at 11:00 AM local time (1:00 PM Gold Coast time) at Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland.
The Philippine Football Federation encourages Filipinos living in Queensland and nearby areas to come out in full support as the Filipinas continue their quest for another historic World Cup appearance.
