The Philippine women’s futsal team wrapped up its campaign in the Fifa Futsal Women’s World Cup with a 5-1 defeat at the hands of quarterfinal-bound Argentina on Thursday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Argentina scored all of its goals in the first seven minutes before the Filipina5 put up a brave effort to ensure it would no longer concede another. Isabella Bandoja averted a shutout in the second half on a counterattack which served as a consolation for the home side and most of the 2,811 fans who came to witness the final matchday of Group A.
Coach Rafa Merino’s side lost all three matches to conclude its stint in the inaugural world competition. Argentina, on the other hand, finished with nine points after winning all three matches, emerging as the top team in the group.
A quick start propelled Argentina to virtually secure the maximum three points. Lara Villalba broke the ice 85 seconds into the match before Argentina doubled its lead behind Mailen Romero.
But Argentina was far from done as Luciana Natta and Agostina Chiesa made it 4-0 while Melina Quevedo converted the fifth from the penalty spot.
It looked as though Argentina was poised for more, but the early misery proved to be a rude awakening for the Filipina5.
Kayla Santiago replaced Samantha Hughes as goalkeeper and made some fine stops the rest of the way. Then Bandoja, a product of Tuloy sa Don Bosco who has a background at futsal since childhood, came through with the score with 12:31 to go in the contest.