The Philippine Women’s National Football Team persevered against a team that hardly tried to attack, vanquishing an all-defensive Malaysian squad, 4-0, to win their third game in as many matches in Friday night 2022 AFF Women’s Championship action at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Rookie central midfielder Sara Eggesvik led the way for the Filipinas with her second goal in the tournament on top of two assists in the second half of the game.

The Norway League 3 standout scored via a running shot from way outside the box that landed behind the goal line despite being tapped by feisty Malaysian goalkeeper Nurul Azurin Mazlan.

The 32nd minute goal was Eggesvik’s second in the tournament and in her young international career.

The goal came after six botched attempts by the Filipinas against the opposition that opted to park the bus almost the entire game.

Malaysia’s only shot of the night was a long free kick team captain Steffi Singh at the 22nd minute, which was handily saved by keeper Kiara Fontanilla.

It was attacking midfielder Katrina Guillou’s turn to join the Filipina scoring party, goaling a rebound off a Tahnai Annis miss at the 43rd minute for her sixth international goal.

Eggesvik continued her splendid performance in the second half, issuing two assists from the top corner for Quinley Quezada and Anicka Castañeda, who goaled their respective headers at the 48th and 72nd minute.

Filipinas’ all-time leading scorer Quezada has tallied her 17th international goal while Castañeda has joined Sarina Bolden, Camille Rodriguez, and Alisha del Campo with 11 international goals.

Eggesvik, who came as a substitute for the injured Kaya Hawkinson at the 10th minute, was named Woman of the Match.

“I wasn’t ready to go in, it was sudden,” Eggesvik shared after the game.

“We didn’t have our best game today, we should’ve gotten more goals,” she commented, referring to Malaysia’s game-long tactic of parking the bus to concede less goals.

The Filipinas, who have yet to concede a goal, top Group A while the Malaysians are at fourth place with two draws and one loss.

In the first game, Australia blanked Indonesia, 4-0, off a haul by Amy Sayer.

In Biñan, Thailand repulsed cellar dweller Singapore, 3-0.

In yesterday’s group B action, defending champion Vietnam debuted with a 3-0 win versus Cambodia while Laos had a 2-0 shutdown against Timor-Leste.

The Filipinas will next face Indonesia on Sunday evening at Rizal Memorial Stadium for their penultimate group game.

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