By CARLO ANOLIN
The Philippine women’s national football team ended 2022 with a bang, clobbering Papua New Guinea, 9-0, in their second friendly at the Wanderers Football Park Friday, Dec. 16, in Sydney, Australia.
Quinley Quezada powered the Filipinas to a breezy win with her first career hat trick ˗ all in the second half — while Katrina Guillou found the back of the net twice.
It was Sara Eggesvik who set the tone for the rout, breaking the ice in the 11th minute before Jessika Cowart (46′) and Tahnai Annis (53′) did their part followed suit.
An own goal in the 55th minute spelled doom for Papua New Guinea.
After five consecutive goals, Quezada put on a show, scoring in the 65′, 85′, and 87′ before Guillou capped the Filipinas’ overpowering show in the 72nd.
The Filipina booters earlier routed the 51st ranked Papua New Guinea, 5-1, last Sunday, Dec. 11.
The twin victories marked a historic run for the Philippine women’s national football team especially after qualifying to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup while bagging the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship title.
Earlier this year, the Filipinas, seated at No. 53 in the world, also won bronze medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
The Filipinas are bracketed in Group A for the World Cup and will compete against the likes of co-host New Zealand, Switzerland, and Norway.
