PERTH, Australia – The Philippines rallied impressively from a goal down in the second half as it subdued Chinese Taipei, 4-1, last Thursday night at the start of Round 2 of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.
The Filipinas fell behind in the second minute of the second half, but fought back mightily with Sarina Bolden scoring twice and Katrina Guillou and substitute Chandler McDaniel also finding the back of the net.
Facing the team they beat for a FIFA World Cup spot in last year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the Filipinas dominated the early stages of the match with Bolden testing Taiwanese keeper Cheng Ssu Yu from a tight angle early on.
Guillou also had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half as the Filipinas can’t seem to find the breakthrough.
Hsu Yi-yun struck from inside the box with a first time effort just a minute into the second half giving Chinese Taipei the advantage.
But the Filipinas drew levl just six minutes later after Meryll Serrano won a penalty that Bolden duly converted in style.
Guillou scored the go-ahead goal at the hour mark with captain Tahnai Annis providing a perfectly-weighted through ball to finish calmly past Cheng.
There was time for two more goals as Bolden fired a third for the Filipinas and her second of the match from the edge of the area in the 83rd minute after a series of missed clearances by the Taiwanese defense.
McDaniel, who came in for Bolden, scored the fourth in the 90th minute with an unstoppable first time shot off a fine ball from Angela Beard.
The Filipinas face Australia on Sunday at the sold out Optus Stadium. Kickoff is set at 3:10 p.m.
Only the top team in the group and the best second placed team out of the three qualifying groups will move on to the next round.