The Philippine women’s football team clobbered Timor-Leste, 7-0, on Thursday in an emphatic start to its title defense in the Asean Women’s Championship in Phu Tho, Vietnam.
Veteran Quinley Quezada and Dionesa Tolentin produced two goals apiece as the Filipinas secured the maximum three points in the Group B match of the tournament also known as the MSIG Serenity Cup at Viet Tri Stadium.
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Aaliyah Schinaman and Adelaide Wyrzynski also scored in their senior team debuts while Hali Long also found the back of the net during the contest coach Mark Torcaso’s side completely dominated.
The Filipinas, who earlier in the day climbed back to 39th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, never looked back after putting up three goals in the first nine minutes courtesy of Schinaman, Quezada and Long.
Schinaman got the start and struck the opener over a minute after the opening whistle, Quezada doubled the lead in the seventh before Long headed a third goal for the Filipinas off a set piece in the ninth.
Quezada completed a brace in the 32nd to make it 25 goals in her international career to make it 4-0 for the Philippines, a scoreline that stood until halftime.
The Filipinas almost allowed Timor-Leste to score near the hour mark, but Olivia McDaniel, who got some activity between the sticks, made a timely save to keep a clean sheet.
The 57th saw Tolentin come through with a first-ever goal as a member of the Filipinas, celebrating the feat by running toward Torcaso at the touch line. It didn’t take long before Tolentin added a second in the 61st for a 6-0 advantage.
Wyrzynski came on in the 72nd replacing Malea Cesar for her first appearance in a Filipinas shirt, and it took just three minutes to deliver a first international goal.
Next up for the Filipinas is on Sunday against the Australia U-23 team, which absorbed a 2-1 loss to Myanmar in the other Group B match.