The Philippine women’s national football team had their first taste of top tier competition in more than a decade and was blanked by rampaging Australia, 0-4, in Group B action of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Mumbai Monday evening.

It was a David-vs-Goliath dream match as the world number 64 Malditas, now coached by ex-Australia mentor Alen Stajcic, eked out a goalless first half against the world number 11 Matildas that soared to becoming the world number four in 2017 under their old coach.

However, a string of goals in the 51st and 53rd minutes by the Matildas stymied the Malditas’ chances for scoring an upset.

Chelsea star Sam Kerr, the greatest Australian goal-scorer of all-time, scored her 55th international goal with a header off a beautiful right corner kick by Stephanie Catley to unlock the Malditas’ stingy defense.

A costly error by Filipina center-back Dominique Randle sank the Malditas’ hope for an upset as she shouldered an own goal as Australia went up, 2-0, in two minutes.

Fourteen minutes later, the Matildas’ second-leading scorer Emily Van Egmond goaled a header off her own miss past goalkeeper Kiara Fontanilla for Australia’s third goal.

Finally, 18-year-old Mary Fowler scored her second goal of the tournament with a long goal off a rebound in the 88th minute.

The Malditas had three chances on goal for the entire match but their attacks were too soft for the Matildas’ defense.

Star forward Chandler McDaniel had a strike off a Sarina Bolden counterattack that went far left in the sixth minute—the first shot attempt in the game.

In the 11th minute, Sara Castañeda had the game’s first shot on goal but her long strike outside the penalty box was easily saved by goalkeeper Teagan Micah.

The returning Bolden also had a chance at a header in the 54th minute but the same was handily saved by Micah.

This was the second meeting between the Matildas and the Malditas. In 2008, Australia demolished the Philippines, 7-0, in the 2008 AFF Championship, which the Matildas won.

The Malditas are now in a must-win situation against Indonesia on Thursday for a sure ticket to the quarterfinals while the Matildas have formalized their quarterfinals berth with tonight’s win.

Last Friday, Australia massacred Indonesia, 18-0, while the Philippines earned its first-ever win versus Thailand, 1-0.

-GAD