Filipinas hurdle Iran, 1-0, to finish second in Group A of Olympic qualifiers

UPDATE: The Philippine women's national football team was eliminated from contention following Uzbekistan's 3-0 victory over India in Group C of the competition. Uzbekistan joined group winners Australia, North Korea, and Japan as the four teams advancing to the third round of the AFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Read more about the rest of the day's results here.

The Philippine women’s national football team took care of business against Iran, 1-0, to remain in in the running to advance to the third round of the AFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia.

Tahnai Annis put the Filipinas ahead in the 19th minute in what would turn out to be the only goal of the game.

Iran threatened early in the second half, even hitting the crossbar on one close call. Ultimately, though, they could not find the equalizer.

Filipinas Sarina Bolden and Katrina Guillou tried to add to the score late but Iran’s goalkeeper was also able to deny the Filipinas’ attempts.

With the win, the Philippines assured itself of finishing in at least second place in Group A with six points, though their fate in the tournament depends on the results of the other groups’ games taking place on the same day.

Australia is at the top of Group A with six points and a +10 goal differential with a game against Chinese Taipei left to play. The Philippines has six points and a -4 differential while Iran and Chinese Taipei currently both sit on 1 point.

Only the winners of each group and the best-ranked runner-up squad will advance to the third round of the competition, where two slots for the 2024 Paris Olympics are up for grabs.

The Filipinas remain in the running to be the top-ranked runner-up, though odds of advancing remain long due to their negative point differential owing to a tough 8-0 loss to Group A leaders Australia in their previous game.

They will need potential Group B second place teams South Korea and China to draw in their clash. In Group C, they need Japan to beat Vietnam and then India to force at least a draw or beat second place Uzbekistan.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News