World Cup-bound Philippines women’s national football team has started 2023 with a heartbreaker, narrowly losing to world number 32 Wales, 0-1, to open the 2023 Piñatar Cup in San Pedro del Piñatar, Spain on Thursday morning (Manila time).

Full back Dominique Randle was given a penalty after a tackle on a running Rhiannon Roberts from inside the penalty box in the 45th minute.

34-year-old forward Kayleigh Green casually goaled to penalty kick to end the first half for her 17th international goal.

World number 53 Philippines, the lowest-ranked team in their first European pocket tournament, found new life in the second half with the entry of Katrina Guillou, who took a twisting shot on goal off a left cross from Eva Madarang only to be saved by teenage goalie Safia Middleton-Patel.

The Filipinas never had any chance on goal since, as Wales likewise struggled in their attack, having only two subsequent shots on goal from Cera Holland and Rachel Rowe, which were blocked by Olivia McDaniel and Malea Cesar, respectively.

The Filipinas missed the services of last year’s top scorer Sarina Bolden and ace holding midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki for this game.

The Filipinas will next face world number 25 Scotland on Saturday evening.

The Scots dropped the tournament opener, 0-2, against world number 16 Iceland, with Olof Kristinsdottir scoring a brace.

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