Veterans Hali Long and Eva Madarang returned to Tajikistan after five years and scored anew on the Central Asian pitch as the Philippine Women’s National Football Team blanked Pakistan, 4-0, on Holy Wednesday to open their 2024 Olympic bid in the Asian qualifying tournament in Dushanbe.

The seven-year veteran center back Long bounced a header to the goal off a right cross from Sarina Bolden in another set piece special in the 22nd minute to open the Filipinas’ account.

The goal was Long’s 17th international goal and fifth on Tajik soil, as the vice-captain scored her first four international goals in Tajikistan in the 2018 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Bolden had a similar bouncing header from the six-yard box three minutes later, this time off a volley pass by Eva Madarang from the top left.

It was Bolden’s 18th international goal of her career.

The versatile Madarang, another veteran of the 2018 squad, had a redux of her Tajikistan stint, scoring off a long shot from 30 yards in the 29th minute off a short pass from Quinley Quezada.

It was Madarang 12th international goal, tying Malditas legend Joana Houplin for fourth overall, behind Quezada, Bolden, and Long, respectively.

Like Long, Madarang scored her first four international goals in Dushanbe in said 2018 squad coached by Buda Bautista.

In the second half, barreling forward Chandler McDaniel returned after a 14-month absence due to injury, scoring in the 85th minute off a right strike coming from a Quezada through pass.

McDaniel scored just her third international goal—her first after scoring the lone goal in the Philippines’ first win against Thailand in the 2022 Asian Cup.

Pakistan, ranked 161st in the world, had no chance in offense as the Filipinas dominated 80 per cent of the possessions.

The World Cup-bound team will next face the host country on Black Saturday.

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