ROBINA, Gold Coast- The Philippines’ chances now hangs by a thread following a 0-3 setback in the hands of South Korea on Thursday in the 2026 Asian Football Confederation(AFC) Women’s Asian Cup in Gold Coast, Australia.
The Taeguk Ladies struck with two goals in the in the first 15 minutes, handing them their second straight win in Group A, and at the end of their showdown at the Cbus Super Stadium in the suburbs of Robina.
This put Taeguk Ladies in the solo lead in Group A, while the Filipinas dropped to their second consecutive setback.
“They’re a classy side. They got world class players,” said Filipinas coach Mark Torcaso, whose team is now in a must-win situation against Iran.
Iran will take on the Filipinas in their final group A game, their last assignment in a campaign supported by the Philippine Football Federation and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Beating Iran in their next game, will give the Philippines a chance to qualify as one of the two best third-ranked squads in the group stage.
“And I just think there’s no excuse that we did not turn around on the fly. It’s no excuse that we’re playing against one of the best team’s in the competition,” added Torcaso.
The first goal came from Jeon Yu-gyeong after she broke through the defense, and volleyed over goal Olivia McDaniel’s head.
Jeon’s shot went into the bottom right corner of the net for her first international goal in her third cap.
“We made adjustments to make sure that we will score goals in the first half,” said Korean coach Shin Sang-woo on the Taeguk Ladies in they assured themselves of the top spot int the knockout stage.
Three minutes later, Park saw her feed Choo down the left and take the return pass on the edge of the area before curling a gorgeous finish into the top right for her maiden goal as well on her fourth Korea Republic appearance.
A third Korean goal was not counted when Jeon Yu-Gyeong attempt was ruled an offside in the 20th.
But the Korean rebounded in the second half when Kim Shin-ji unloaded a corner kick towards Mun Eun-ju to in the middle of the penalty box. Kim then slammed in her fifth international goal from a meter out in the 56th.
Filipinas booter Carleigh Frilles provided a silver lining in terms of offense for her squad when she came up with a left footed volley in the 45th minute. But goalie Kim Min-jung quickly saved it.
The Filipinas played without one of their key players, Jacklyn Sawicki, who sustained a knocked (bruised) knee injury during training. NLMonitor