Sports

Filipinas qualify for FIFA World Cup after dramatic penalties

by Amiel Dalisay

August 2, 2022

The Philippines women's national football team, nicknamed Filipinas, advanced to the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time after defeating Chinese Taipei in a tough penalty shootout in the AFC Women's Asian Cup quarterfinals on January 30th in India.

The Filipinas won the berths for the Women's World Cup and Asian Cup semi-finals as they battled against Chinese Taipei in a penalty shootout ending 4-3, after 120 minutes of leveled gameplay at 1-1.

The first ones to shoot for the Philippines were midfielder Sara Castañeda and team captain Tahnai Annis, both successfully clearing the back of the net.

The World Cup spot was on the brink of being lost when goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel could not block three shots by Chinese Taipei. The penalties scored 2-3 in favor of the Blue Magpies. Missed penalties by Jessica Miclat and Hali Long offered Chinese Taipei opportunities to defeat the Philippines.

McDaniel also netted a penalty herself to force sudden death, 3-3. She then made heroic saves by causing Chinese Taipei to miss three shots in a row.

Sarina Bolden was the last player that firmly punched the ticket to the World Cup, the Philippines leading the penalty scores 4-3.

A header by Quinley Quezada in the 48th minute gave the Philippines a one-goal lead, and it appeared as though they would secure the historic victory.

Chinese Taipei endured the Filipinas' defense-heavy tactics as numerous shots by the likes of Su Sin-Yun and Su Yu-Hsuan failed to crack the goal.

Zhuo Li-Ping found the upper-right corner of the net as she scored for Chinese Taipei 1-1, as the match went to thirty minutes of extra time.

The game was deadlocked after 120 minutes as both visibly-tired teams fought every minute in extra time.

The Philippines faced Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand in the group stage before meeting Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals of the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup. It is the first time the country advancing to the knockout stage after 41 years since first participating in the continental tournament.

The Filipinas have already secured their place in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. They are now focused on building momentum in Philippine football as they finished bronze in the Vietnam SEA Games and won the first international title at home in the 2022 AFF Women's Championship.

Members of the national team are resting in the country while others are proceeding abroad to their club commitments.