Filipinas delight home fans with dominant win over Singapore

The Philippines continued its good start at the AFF Women's Championships 2022 with a convincing 7-0 victory over an overmatched Singapore side at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

The Philippines is currently ranked 79 places above the visitors, and the gulf in the FIFA rankings—and the quality on the pitch—were reflected in the score line, with the Filipinas already four goals to the good after just 38 minutes of play.

Veteran goalkeeper Inna Palacios made her 50th appearance for the country and she enjoyed a comfortable evening as she went untroubled for the whole 90 minutes.

"Super thankful and honored to always represent the country," said Inna after the match. "And to have my 50th here at home, means so much more."

Playing up front, 17-year-old Isabella Flanigan opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a wonderfully taken volley off a Sarina Bolden assist.

She would turn provider eleven minutes later with an assist, this time to captain Tahnai Annis for another Philippines goal.

Displaying brilliance all game long, Flanigan displayed confidence as she continually made the right pass and made the correct run, and was so influential that by the end of the match, the Ultras Filipinas and the fans were one in chanting her name to the tune of "Give It Up" from "KC and the Sunshine Band."

Jessica Miclat may wear jersey number 9, but she patrolled the middle of the park with aplomb and will give Stajcic a selection headache in a Philippines midfield now teeming with options.

Captain Annis might be the oldest member of the squad, but one can be forgiven for thinking otherwise with the way she ran the right wing. Now taking over set piece deliveries, Annis' performance will be key for the Filipinas ambitions of lifting silverware this tournament and beyond.

It was a day of firsts, as defender Maya Alcantara made her debut for the country in central defense, and the debutante made a good start to her Filipinas career with a solid performance at the back alongside Hali Long.

"It's amazing. I've never been to the Philippines before so reconnecting with the roots and having the crowd behind me is amazing," said Alcantara. "Excited just to help the team out and its an honor and I'm so grateful to represent the Philippines."

With left back Sofia Harrison ruled out for the tournament, and with games coming thick and fast, it is important for Alcantara to step up to the plate, especially now that Dom Randle has to deputize at left side of the Filipinas' defense.

Sara Eggesvik made her first start as well, deployed on the left wing and capped off a good all-around performance with a goal in the 46th minute.

The former Norwegian youth player could have added a second goal shortly afterwards, but regardless, she will make a claim to be included in Stajcic's preferred starting eleven.

Kaya Hawkinson also put in a good shift at central midfield and capped off her performance with a goal in the 55th minute.

With six different goal scorers, it was another good team performance by the Filipinas, but with Singapore in a different stage of their women's football development, it was always going to be one way street for the Philippines.

With an average age of 21 years old, Singapore is building for the future, giving a second cap to Irsalina Irwan for example, who is just 15 years of age.

The Filipinas, meanwhile, are bound for the World Cup, and will await bigger challenges ahead.

The way the team has embraced the philosophy of the coaching staff and the discipline with which they execute their game plan is certainly cause for much optimism from the Filipino sports fans.

The Philippines will go for their third straight victory as they play Malaysia on July 8, Friday at 7 p.m.

—MGP, GMA News