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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Filipinas edge Uzbekistan, book second FIFA Women's World Cup appearance

Filipinas edge Uzbekistan, book second FIFA Women's World Cup appearance

Published Mar 19, 2026 01:34 pm

At A Glance

  • With the victory, the Filipinas join host Australia, Japan, China and South Korea in the World Cup slated in Brazil. Chinese Taipei and North Korea are battling for the remaining berth as of press time.
The Philippine women's football team celebrates its victory over Uzbekistan in the playoffs at the AFC Women's Asian Cup. (AFC)
The Philippine women's football team celebrates its victory over Uzbekistan in the playoffs at the AFC Women's Asian Cup. (AFC)
The Philippine women’s football team rode on second-half goals from Angela Beard and Jaclyn Sawicki to edge Uzbekistan, 2-0, and punch its ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in their playoff match on Thursday, March 19, in Gold Coast, Australia.
Locked in a scoreless battle at the break, the Filipinas wasted little time asserting control as Beard broke the ice in the 47th minute, unleashing a left-footed volley that clipped the crossbar before crossing the line off a pin-point cross from Jael-Marie Guy.
It was enough to boost their morale as the Nationals became more aggressive, with Guy delivering another curling cross to Sawicki this time, who struck a looping header over Uzbek goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova and into the bottom right corner in the 52nd minute.
Uzbekistan tried to respond but came up empty despite sustained pressure late in the match including in the 75th minute, where Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva fired from the left side of the six-yard box, only to be denied by Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
Though the Uzbeks had more possessions at 56 percent, the Filipinas were able to deliver when it mattered most, firing 14 shots including eight on target.
The first half proved close between the two teams, with the Filipinas having nine shots at goal without being able to break the deadlock.
Beard had her chance early in the 38th minute but her left-footed shot from close range was saved in the center of the goal by Jonimqulova.
Guy and Sara Eggesvik also had chances in the succeeding minutes, but both attempts missed the box.
With the victory, the Filipinas join host Australia, Japan, China and South Korea in the World Cup slated in Brazil. Chinese Taipei and North Korea are battling for the remaining berth as of press time.
Uzbekistan, meanwhile, still has a chance to clinch its maiden world cup appearance through the Inter-Confederation Playoffs later in 2026.
It was an impressive run for the Filipinas, who were coming off a 0-7 quarterfinals beating from Japan a few days ago. In the group stage, they were bracketed in Group A and finished as one of the two best-placed third teams to advance to the knockout quarters.
Their group stage results saw them losing to Australia, 0-1, and South Korea, 0-3, before prevailing over Iran, 2-0.
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