The Philippine Women’s National Football Team showed no mercy against Singapore, slaying the Lionesses, 7-0, in the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The win elevated the Filipinas to the top of Group A.

Six Filipinas goaled while a Singaporean defender inadvertently scored for the Philippines with an own goal.

Seventeen-year-old Isabella Flanigan started the romp with a counter-attacking volley at the 8th minute.

The goal came off a botched goal kick by sweeper Venetia Lim which was intercepted by Kaya Hawkinson, who headed the ball to Sarina Bolden, finding the running Flanigan for her third international goal.

Two minutes later, Singaporean captain Ernie Sontaril flopped by thumping the ball to the Philippines’ goal off a right wing cross by Tahnai Annis.

Annis finally scored at the 19th minute, sinking a long header to the top-left corner of the goal off a right-wing cross from Flanigan for her ninth international goal, all scored in the past ten months.

Bolden then scored on a header from point blank at the 38th minute from a similar right-wing cross from Annis.

The goal, Bolden’s eleventh, moved her to fourth place in the Filipinas’ all-time scoring list, tying Camille Rodriguez and Alisha del Campo.

The second half saw maiden goals from two Filipinas rookies.

At the 47th minute, Fil-Norwegian Sara Eggesvik scored off a spill from Singaporean goalkeeper Beatrice Tan.

Central midfielder Hawkinson then sank a header at the 56th minute from Annis’ right corner kick.

Despite fielding in a new keeper, substitue Noor Rosman could not handle a power strike by Carleigh Frilles, tapping the ball toward a trailing Anicka Castañeda, who scored at the 69th minute.

It was Castañeda’s tenth international goal, tying her sister Sara and wing-back Eva Madarang for fifth place in the all-time scoring list.

Singapore’s only chance for goal was at the 79th minute via a running attack by teenage phenom Danelle Tan, which was ably blocked by substitute full back Chantelle Maniti.

“[We’ve played] world class passing and combination plays. [but] we’re still a long way to go to get where I want to,” remarked Filipinas’ head coach Alan Stajcic after the game.

In any case, Stajcic commended the Filipinas for their latest victory. At the post-match press conference he remarked,  “It shows the discipline within the team. It shoes the unity. It shows the alignment within the group… (that) we are focused on the same goal.”

The win was the Filipinas’ biggest against Singapore since their 9-0 win in 2018.

“In the next three games and even the knockout games, expect the team to give it their all,” said veteran defensive midfielder Jessica Miclat.

The Filipinas are currently at 2-0 to top Group A, anchored on a historic 1-0 win against Australia last Monday.

Singapore has one draw and one loss to drop to last place.

The Filipinas will next face Malaysia on Friday, 7 PM, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Tigresses drew against Indonesia in Biñan, 1-1, for their second draw in as many games.

In a battle of powerhouses, Thailand and Australia settled for a 2-2 draw in the first game of the Manila doubleheader.

Australia’s draw upped the chances of the Filipinas to earn a semis spot.

In yesterday’s Group B action, Myanmar surged to leader board with a 7-0 demolition of Timor-Leste while Laos and Cambodia had a 1-1 draw.

Defending champions Vietnam will debut tomorrow against Cambodia.

*With a report from Gay Ace Domingo

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