The Philippine women’s national football team maintained a clean sheet in the second matchday of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers (WACQ) Group G on Wednesday, securing a 6-0 victory against host nation Cambodia.
Early in the first half, Alexa Pino and Meryll Serrano contributed to a rapid scoring sequence. Hali Long and Chandler McDaniel each added a goal, and an own goal was conceded by Cambodia following pressure from Sofia Harrison-Wunsch.
“We are very pleased with the team’s performance today and appreciate the strong support from the Filipino community in Cambodia,” stated Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez.
Pino, an alumna of the under-17 national team, and the veteran Serrano, scored consecutive goals in the 18th and 19th minutes, a result of the Filipinas’ midfield press. Jaclyn Sawicki and Chandler McDaniel provided the assists. Serrano, who was named Player of the Match, completed her brace with a well-placed lob from midfield in the 36th minute, marking her third goal of the tournament.
“We observed Hong Kong’s match against Cambodia, and I initially felt some apprehension about this game,” Serrano commented. “However, once we secured the first two goals, I felt confident in our performance.”
Shortly before halftime, Sofia Harrison-Wunsch delivered a cross from her customary left-wing position, leading to an own goal by Cambodia’s Somrit Nimol in the 40th minute, further widening the lead.
The second half saw the Filipinas continue to control the game. Captain Long registered her 21st international goal in the 48th minute from an Angie Beard set piece. Eight minutes later, McDaniel, who scored the decisive goal against Hong Kong in the 2022 WACQ, added another goal from a right cross by Carleigh Frilles.
With only a draw needed against Hong Kong to qualify for next year’s final tournament in Australia, Serrano remarked, “We need to maintain our momentum. We have one more game against Hong Kong, and our aim is to secure all available points.”
The Filipinas remain undefeated, currently leading Group G with six points. Hong Kong is in second place with four points, while Cambodia and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated from contention.
The upcoming match, a rematch of the 2022 WACQ encounter, is scheduled for July 5 at 5 P.M. PST. It will be livestreamed on the official Facebook pages of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team and the PFF.
