The Philippine women’s national football team had another dramatic finish, this time in the first game of any Filipino football squad on Latin American soil.
The world number 53 Filipinas salvaged a draw against world number 37 Costa Rica, 1-1, in a crucial friendly Saturday morning (Manila time) at Alajuela.
The Filipinas were saved by forward Katrina Guillou, who scored in the final seconds of the game off a free kick from goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel from the rear midfield.
The Swedish league standout caught a loose ball off a soft block by Costa Rican defender Gabriela Guillen to thump a clear shot on goal for her eighth international goal.
Earlier, 21-year-old attacking midfielder Priscilla Chinchilla sprinted past Pinay defender Eva Madarang for the opening goal in the 57th minute.
The eighth international goal of the Glasgow City skipper came off a long pass from the right flank by Bordeaux’s Melissa Herrera, as both offensive players had several chances in the first half against the Filipina defense only to be frustrated by McDaniel.
Costa Rica dominated the Philippines with seven shots on goal, all saved by McDaniel.
The entry of Tahnai Annis energized the Filipinas in the second half as the fulltime national had her squad’s first clear shot on goal—a direct free kick from top of the box—that was handily saved by veteran Priscilla Tapia.
The Filipina had two more chances from inside the box but Tapia saved a reverse cut by Carleigh Frilles while a late attempt by newcomer Reina Bonta went high.
In injury time, center back Hali Long made a clutch block on defender Valeria del Campo’s header off a corner kick.
McDaniel then earned a free kick from long distance as Costa Rican captain Raquel Rodriguez was flagged with a yellow cap by interrupting the kick that was initially awarded to Long.
The long ball almost fluked toward the goal but was blocked by Guillen toward the boot of Guillou, who goaled for the draw.
Both squads will end their two-game friendly on October 11, Costa Rica time, with both squads aiming to raise their world ranking to earn a higher pot for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The draw is set on October 22 in Auckland.
