MANILA – Philippine Malditas was dealt with a reality check with its 0-3 defeat to the powerhouse China in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup at the Amman International Stadium.
In the other game, Thailand recorded a 6-1 win over host nation Jordan.
China, a perennial Women’s World Cup participant, sealed its spot in the semifinals after the Monday night victory. It will face Jordan on Friday morning.
Malditas, on the other hand, will take on Thailand in its final group stage match on the same day.
The Philippines must win if it should punch a ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France next year.
China made its presence felt early with two close attempts before surging in the 17th minute with a Li Ying hit to the back of the net.
The Chinese continued their aggressiveness with consecutive close-range attempts but Malditas managed to hang on.
China raised the lead 2-0 in the 31st minute with Ma Jun pulling off a shot from the edge of the area.
In the second half, China put the game away with Li Ying converting her second goal of the match in the 57th minute after she caught the defense of Malditas keeper Kearra Bastes-Jones napping.
Minutes later China nearly netted its fourth goal but the attempt was deflected by the bar.
Malditas had its chances late in the match but China’s defense was just too tight for Leah Larot and Jesse Shugg to score.
“We will just try to do our very best (against Thailand),” said Malditas head coach Rabah Benlarbi.
“It is of course good to have no pressure, and we will focus on what we have been preparing before coming to Jordan,” Benlarbi said./PN
