FOLLOWING a disappointing opener, the Philippine Malditas bounced back with a convincing 3-0 victory over Singapore in Group B of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship last Tuesday in the Jaka Baring in Palembang, Indonesia.
Joyce Semancio put the Philippines ahead early on with an eighth minute goal.
The Philippines took a 2-0 lead with an own goal by Singapore defender Nur Umairah Hamdan in the 61st minute.
Quinley Quezada finally sealed the game with a goal seven minutes later.
The Malditas had a rough start in the tournament, dropping a 0-4 defeat against Myanmar in its opener.
The Philippines moved up to third place in Group B after logging its first win of the tournament. Vietnam is at the top with three points, followed by Myanmar also with three points.
The Malditas is up against Vietnam on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, over at Surabaya, the Philippines suffered its first defeat in the AFF Under-19 Championship with a 0-5 beating in the hands of Thailand.
Le Van Nam (29th, 50th) and Le Minh Binh (54th, 85th) both scored a brace for Vietnam, while Nguyen Huu Thang added a goal in the 71st.
On the first day, the Philippines edged out Singapore, 2-1.
The Philippines dropped to fourth place in Group B.
Host Indonesia is first, followed by Vietnam and Thailand at second and third place with four points each and are just separated by goal difference.
The Philippines’ next match is today against host Indonesia. (EKA)