PH qualifies to Women's Futsal Asian Cup despite loss to AUS

The Philippine national women’s futsal team qualified for the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup after concluding their final game in Group C against Australia, 2-1, on Sunday, January 19, at the Yunusobod Sport Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

However, the setback did not hinder the country's chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup, since it finished as the tournament's best third-placed team.

The Philippines qualified for the continental finale by finishing the qualifiers with two victories, one tie, and one defeat, or seven points, in Group C.

Daisy Arrowsmith gave Australia the lead in the seventh minute after Judy Connolly of the Philippines failed to clear the ball, but the Filipinas rallied with less than a minute remaining in the first half thanks to an own goal by Halle Smit.

Just before the first half ended, Bella Flanigan responded with an equalizer to boost the Philippines' lead going into halftime. 

Unfortunately for the Philippines, Australia regained control after the interval thanks to a goal by Jessica Au, which they kept until the final whistle.

Even though Uzbekistan and the Philippines had the same number of points, their decisive victory over Turkmenistan guaranteed them second place in the group. The Filipinas had a plus-4 goal differential, while the host nation had a plus-7.

Australia and the Philippines will be making their first appearances in the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup, while the top three teams from Group C all qualified.

China will host the competition from May 7 to 18. It will also act as a qualifier for the Philippines' inaugural 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, which will be held later that year.