Asia’s sextet of qualifiers for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup is set after the Philippines and DPR Korea booked their spot for the tournament in Brazil with wins over Uzbekistan and Chinese Taipei respectively on the Gold Coast.
There were mixed feelings with the four ‘lucky losers’ after their quarter-final defeats. Some, such as DPR Korea, were despondent knowing they were a genuine chance to win the tournament. Other, like the Philippines or Uzbekistan, were more circumspect knowing a quarter-final win was unlikely to putting all their eggs in this playoff basket to seal what, for them, was the real prize.
Coming off the back of their maiden appearance in 2023, the expectation was that the Filipinas would repeat that feat against an Uzbekistan side that had never qualified for the Women’s World Cup and was playing on the Asian stage for the first time in 23 years.
While they had the better of the running in the first half, Kotryna Kulbyte’s side were resolute and proved they would be no pushovers, even if the Filipinas would’ve been kicking themselves that they failed to capitalise on some glorious opportunities, Angie Beard in particular.
But the one-time Australian international didn’t have to wait long into the second half to make amends, firing the Philippines ahead just 70 seconds into the second half with a perfectly timed volley.
Five minutes later they doubled the lead through Jaclyn Sawicki who headed home another perfectly timed cross from the right to suck the life out of Uzbekistan, who knew it was a long way back.
It was a position from which they couldn’t recover, and while the Filipinas didn’t add to the scoreboard, the damage was done, and while those clad in white danced and celebrated, the Uzbek players were inconsolable as they slumped to the floor having missed a glorious opportunity.
In the later game, it was slightly more straight forward for DPR Korea who confirmed their slot at the Women’s World Cup with a 4-0 victory over Chinese Taipei.
In doing so, Ri Song-Ho’s became the seventh country to qualify for next year’s tournament after hosts, Brazil, Australia, China, Korea Republic, Japan, and the Philippines.
DPR Korea dominated possession of the ball for most of the first half, although were nearly caught out early when Chinese Taipei’s Matsunaga Saki’s burst forward but was unable to trouble Yu Son-Gum in goal.
After several early attempts, including shots by Kim Kyong-Yong and Chae Un-Yong, DPR Korea finally broke the deadlock just past the half hour mark as Hong Song-Ok headed home following a right wing cross from Kim Kyong-Yong.
Now having the advantage, DPR Korea’s desire for more only grew in the second half.
Another goal came DPR Korea’s way a mere four minutes into the second half when Kim Song-Ok netted once again, capitalising on a cross, this time from Choe Il-Son.
Chinese Taipei barely had time to regroup when DPR Korea made it three, this time it was Kim Kyong-Yong who took advantage of a cross by Jon Ryong-Jong
DPR Korea sealed the deal when Hong Song-Ok got her hatrick, tapping the ball in after a speedy run by Ri Myong-Gum.
WHAT WE LEARNED
DPR Korea’s corners/crosses are lethal: One thing DPR Korea consistently proved themselves to be good at throughout the game was their set-pieces, particularly their crosses and corner kicks, with three of their four goals were the result of crosses.
DPR Korea has also shown themselves to be dangerous aerially, an impressive offensive skill that could prove difficult for future opposition to contend with.
The ends justify the means: There was plenty of criticism labelled at the Philippines and Mark Torcaso for their approach to the quarter-final against Japan, when it appeared they simply surrendered while keeping one eye (or was that both eyes?) on this decisive playoff.
Japan racked up stats rarely seen in international football, reaching a half century of shots while the Philippines failed to register a single attempt on goal. But having won the decisive match to qualify for a second straight Women’s World Cup, few will remember how they qualified, only that they qualified.
WHAT THEY SAID
Mark Torcaso – Philippines coach: “I’m extremely proud of every single player, including players that have been to the World Cup and experienced the opportunities of playing on the big stage.
“But I’m proud of every single player [with] the way they stuck together as a group led by captain Hali Long. The girls have been outstanding for the last six weeks with the work they’ve put in over that time. [And now] it has come to this and I’m extremely proud.
“We were confident in the players from the start of this Asian Cup, and we knew every game was going to be challenging because there are no weak teams here.
“It was simply about telling the girls that we were still in the game, 0-0 at halftime, and to keep doing what we were doing. We believed we would get the outcome that we wanted.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
As previously mentioned, the Philippines and DPR Korea will have confirmed their place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
It’s not over for Uzbekistan or Chinese Taipei, however, who will now enter additional inter-confederation play-offs, which will be held later this year to decide the final three teams to qualify.
With Paul Williams
