The Philippine women’s football team is in a good position to make the quarterfinals for a second consecutive time, downing Hong Kong, 2-0, in their Matchday 2 clash of the 20th Asian Games on Thursday, September 17, at the Nagaragawa Stadium in Gifu, Japan.
The win moved the Filipinas to second place in Group G ahead of their showdown against 2022 bronze medalist China and with four points, the Filipinas have earned a high possibility to advance to the next round.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez hailed the result as a timely confidence boost for the team.
‘The girls have earned every bit of this. What I love most is seeing our veterans and rising stars feed off each other’s energy – the fighting spirit of Natalie Collins in her game saving goal against Uzbekistan and the steady leadership of Hali Long, Jaclyn Sawicki, and Carleigh Frilles-that’s the kind of team spirit we’ll need against China and, hopefully, in the quarterfinals,’ Gutierrez said.
Forward Skye Leach opened the scoring in the 12th minute, converting off Tsang Pak Tung’s block of winger Inday Tolentin’s header strike. It was the first international goal for Leach, a recruit from the June 2026 San Diego talent identification camp, coming on just her second cap.
Forward Mallie Ramirez doubled the lead in the 63rd minute, finishing off substitute winger
Megan Murray’s cross from a tight angle for her third international goal.
‘Any goal I get to score for this national team, it’s special every time. Being able to score in
such a crucial game is a cool experience for me,’ said nRamirez, who scored two goals in the 2025
Southeast Asian Games.
The Filipinas face China on September 21 at 3 p.m. Philippine time to close the group stage.