The national women’s football team gained a lot of lessons despite a fruitless performance in the 2023 Pinatar Cup at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain.
The Filipinas wrapped up its campaign with a sorry 0-5 beating at the hands of Iceland, a team that is at No. 16 in the latest International Football Federation ranking.
Amanda Andradottir kicked off the scoring parade as she found the net in the 20th minute before completing a brace at the 51st of this lopsided affair.
Selma Magnusdottir also put her name in the scoresheet with a 71st minute goal before Hlin Eiriksdottir exploited a passing error from the Filipinas and made it 4-0 by the 80th minute.
Alexandra Johannsdottir puts the final nail in the coffin after knocking down a goal in the second minute of added time.
With that, Iceland went on to win the title of this prestigious pocket tournament after finishing with two wins and a draw.
The Philippines, on the other hand, failed to get a single win in the competition after close defeats against Wales (0-1) and Scotland (1-2) prior to its meeting with the Icelanders.
Still, team captain Tahnai Annis wasn’t bothered, saying that setbacks like this makes them stronger, better for the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be held in New Zealand this July.
“I think as long as we keep going in the direction that we want to, no matter how incremental it might be, I think we’re still progressing,” Annis said/
“And having a lot of takeaways from each game that we play, which will help us in the World Cup.”
Up next for the Filipinas are the first round of the Paris Olympic qualifier this April and the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in May.
