November 3 ------ Dreams of competing at the Olympic Games burn brightly in the final day of the 2024 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament’s second round. For the Philippines, that dream seemed within reach but fate had other plans. The journey was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with heartbreak and hope. The Philippines entered the second round of the tournament with high hopes and determination.
The Filipinas kicked off their campaign with a resounding 4-1 victory over Chinese Taipei, giving their fans reason to believe that this might be their year. However, their celebration was short-lived as they faced an overpowering Australian squad, resulting in a humbling 8-0 defeat. Undeterred by the setback, the Filipinas regrouped and put up a valiant fight against Iran, securing a hard-fought 1-0 win in Perth.
This victory left them with six points, placing them in second position in Group A behind Australia. It was a position that provided a glimmer of hope but demanded more. The final group matches would determine their fate, and the Filipinas’ supporters watched with bated breath as Uzbekistan, India, Japan, Vietnam, China, and South Korea battled it out in their respective matches. In Tashkent, Uzbekistan faced India in a crucial Group C encounter.
Uzbekistan’s 3-0 victory not only secured them a spot in the third and final round but also shattered the Filipinas’ hopes. Uzbekistan’s superior goal difference of plus-2, compared to the Filipinas’ minus-4, proved to be the deciding factor, leaving the Philippines on the brink of elimination. As they awaited the results of other matches, the Filipinas knew that they needed at least a draw or an India win to advance outright.
Japan did their part by defeating Vietnam 2-0, and China and South Korea played to a 1-1 draw. The odds seemed favorable until the news of Uzbekistan’s victory reached their camp, dashing their Olympic dreams. It was a painful and bitter end to a journey filled with promise and potential.
The Philippines had shown their mettle, bouncing back from a devastating loss to claim second place in their group. But in the ruthless world of international football, sometimes even a second-place finish isn’t enough.
Source: tiebreakertimes.com.ph
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