The Philippine Under-17 Women’s National Football Team is undefeated entering the final match day of the 2026 AFC Under-17 Women’s Asian Cup (WACQ) Group A in Dushanbe on Friday, defeating Tajikistan and Syria this week for six points, with no goals conceded.
The Young Filipinas blanked the hosts, 2-0, on Wednesday, with Louraine Evangelista scoring her second goal of the qualifiers while Davaoeña pride Jilliana Dagpin finished the game with her first national team goal.
In the 11th minute, the Tuloy protege Evangelista took a shot from outside of the penalty box on her running attack for the early advantage.
After numerous attacking tries by the Philippines against the compact and physical defense of Tajikistan, Dagpin, a young talent honed by the Davao South Regional Football Association and the Makati Football Club, had a splendid sprint toward the goal off Kaida Mizzo’s through pass on the counter to close the game scoring in the 90+5 minute.
Philippines trounces Syria, 5-0
On Monday, the Young Filipinas opened its bid for a second straight AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup appearance with a commanding 5-0 victory over Syria.
Led by brace scorer Ari Enderes, the Young Filipinas displayed sharp finishing and ball distribution on buildup plays for the clinical win.
Enderes opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing off a counterattack initiated by Evangelista and delivered through a precise cross from Chiara Mizzo. She completed her brace just before halftime, slotting in a goal off Yurika Valdevieso’s setup in the 44th minute.
“We felt if we scored early on in the game, then we could impose our style of play and how we wanted to play,” commented head coach Pradhyum Reddy on Enderes’ early offense.
“Two goals feels great but we did it as a team and I’m glad we did it together and it feels really good to win,” said Enderes, who was named Player of the Match.
The Young Filipinas shot consecutive long bombs to start the second half, with Kaida Mizzo and former futsal national team standout Evangelista goaling from outside the penalty box in the 50th and 52nd minutes.
Beach Hut FC’s Sofhia Muros closed the game for the Philippines, tapping in a goal in front in the 73rd minute off Chiara Mizzo’s second cross from the right wing.
“I think the good thing is once we got the third goal, we could make some rotations, some substitutions, get some fresh legs. I think it’s important when you’ve got another game in 48 hours’ time that we get to rotate the players,” Reddy concluded.
With the wins, the Philippines will enter the final game on Friday against fellow undefeated team Malaysia, with the lone Asian Cup ticket on the line.
The ASEAN squads have six points each but the Young Filipinas have a +4 goal difference edge over Malaysia.
