MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines women’s national football team kept its quarterfinal hopes alive in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after securing a 2–0 victory over Iran women’s national football team in Gold Coast, Australia, on Sunday night.
Goals from Sara Eggesvik and Chandler McDaniel in each half lifted the Filipinas to their first win of the tournament, allowing them to finish third in Group A with three points.
The result temporarily placed the Philippines in one of the two best third-place spots, which would secure a place in the knockout stage.
Under coach Mark Torcaso, the Filipinas now await the outcomes of other group matches that will determine if they advance. Vietnam women’s national football team, which also has three points, will face Japan women’s national football team in Group B, while Uzbekistan women’s national football team—still winless with a goal difference of -6—will take on Bangladesh women’s national football team.
The Filipinas ended the group stage with a -2 goal difference after earlier losses to host Australia women’s national football team (1–0) and South Korea women’s national football team (3–0).
Eggesvik broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark, giving the Philippines the lead against Iran. McDaniel then doubled the advantage in the 82nd minute to secure the victory.
McDaniel nearly scored a second goal late in the match, but it was ruled out following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
If the Filipinas advance, they will have two chances to secure a World Cup berth—either by winning their quarterfinal match to reach the semifinals or by competing in a play-in match among the losing quarterfinalists.
