The Philippines posted a 1-0 win over Iran to close its second-round campaign in the 2024 Asian Football Confederation Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia.
But it doesn’t mean that the Filipinas have already moved closer to a spot in the Paris Olympics.
Despite the victory, the Filipinas’ fate is still no longer on their hands as the are hoping that the stars will align so they can make a historic debut in the Summer Games next year.
With North Korea taking the top spot in Group B following a 7-0 win over Thailand, the Philippines are hoping that China will forge a draw with the Koreans in their match that is ongoing at press time.
Also, the Filipinas have to pray hard that Japan will win over Vietnam in Group C and India settles for a draw with Uzbekistan for them to advance to the third round in February 2024.
Only the top teams from the three groups and the best second-place squad will advance to the third and final round of the qualifiers, where two tickets for the Paris Olympics are at stake.
The Philippines wrapped up its second-round campaign with a 2-0-1 win-draw-loss record to settle for the second place in Group A.
Prior to facing the Iranians, the Filipinas secured a 4-1 win over Chinese Taipei before bowing to mighty Australians, 8-0, to move on the verge of elimination.
Against the Iranians, skipper Tahnai Annis scored the lone goal in the 19th minute after Sofia Harrison’s shot bounced off the hands of goalkeeper Zahra Khajavi.
The 63rd-ranked Iranians prevented the Filipinas from doing further damage by switching their defense a notch higher.
Iran came up with better defense and even got a longer amount of ball possession in the second half that kept the wards of Mark Torcaso at the edge of their seats.
The 44th-ranked Filipinas upped the ante during added time as Quinley Quezada and Sarina Bolden fired a couple of strikes, but they both failed to find the back of the net but still managed to walk away with the tough victory.
