Filipinas face crucial play-in for World Cup spot after lopsided loss to Japan
- Rodolfo Dacleson II
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
World Cup qualification will have to wait for the Philippine women’s national football team.
The Filipinas became Japan’s latest victim in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup after being humbled, 7-0, in the quarterfinals at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday, March 15.
Despite the heavy defeat, all is not lost for the reigning Southeast Asian Games champions in their bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Philippines can still secure a direct berth by defeating Uzbekistan in their decisive play-in match on Thursday, March 19. A loss, however, would send the Filipinas to the inter-confederation playoffs scheduled later this year.
Nina Meollo’s first international appearance for the Philippines turned out to be a baptism of fire as the 21-year-old goalkeeper started for a heavily rotated lineup by head coach Mark Torcaso.
Youngsters Malea Cesar, Mallie Ramirez, Alexa Pino, Ariana Markey, and Jourdyn Curran also made the starting eleven.
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Meollo held the fort for the Filipinas for most of the opening half until Mina Tanaka put Japan ahead in the 45th minute. Toko Koga doubled the lead three minutes into stoppage time.
The second half was no different as the Japanese side continued its barrage while the Filipinas remained pinned in defense.
Japan, ranked eighth globally, eventually found cracks in the Philippine backline, racing to a 4-0 lead behind quickfire goals from Remina Chiba and Manaka Matsukubo in the 65th and 67th minutes.
Koga, who plays for English Women’s Super League side Tottenham Hotspur, completed her brace in the 76th minute before Momoko Tanikawa and Riko Ueki put the finishing touches in the 86th and 90th minutes.
Japan asserted its dominance with 85% possession, completing 624 passes and firing 43 shots, 18 of them on target. The Filipinas, meanwhile, failed to capitalize on their 15 final-third entries and did not record a single shot.
Japan will face South Korea in the semifinals on Wednesday, March 18.
In 2023, the Torcaso-led Philippines also suffered a quarterfinal exit to Japan in the Asian Games, losing 8-1.
The Filipinas now shift their focus to Uzbekistan for a chance at an outright World Cup berth. The two sides last met in an international friendly last year that ended in a 2-2 draw.
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