The first half of the much-awaited match between Japan vs Philippines showed a very robust and tight defence by the Filipinas.  Only at the stoppage-time were the Japanese able to score two goals. Neno Meollo (Player #18) as the starting goalkeeper for Filipinas courageously saved several direct attempts at goals and from corners awarded to the Japanese team in the first half.

Filipinas fought hard from the start at the first half, with Malle Ramirez (Player #24) getting injured at 7:10 game time and replaced by Chandler McDaniel (Player #10).   There was a heart-stopping shot from the corner by Japan at 9:59 game time.  This was punched away from goal by Meollo.  This was followed by another brilliant save two minutes later, with Jessica Cowart (Player #3) valiantly clearing a ball away from goal.   This combination of saves and defence moves by Filipinas was sustained in the first half which prevented Japan from scoring until 45 game time when Japan’s Mina Tanaka (Player #11) scored the first goal of the game.  This was followed by Toko Koga (Player # 6) at 45 + 3 game time.

Half time score – Japan 2 : Philippines 0
Japan was more aggressive on the attack on the second half.  With more goals that the Filipinas would have wanted, despite some amazing saves by Meollo.   The succession of unanswered goals by Japan were as follows:   Remina Chiba (Player #25) 3 – 0 at 65’;  Manaka Matsukubo (Player #20) 4 – 0 at 67’;  Toko Koga (Player #6) scoring her second goal, 5 – 0 at 75’;  Momoko Tanikawa (Player #19) 6 – 0 at 86’; and a header by Riko Ueki (Player #9) at 90’ game time sealed the game with Japan having a wide lead of 7 – 0.
Malea Cesar (Player #2) was substituted off in the 87th minute after she copped a hit at the back of her head.  She was replaced by Anicka Castañeda (Player #11).  Normally, only five substitutions are allowed in a game which had been reached by this time. However, 'a suspected concussion rule' was applied.
The Filipinas team prepares to face Uzbekistan in the Gold Coast Stadium on March 19, to grab one of the final two places reserved for Asia at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Four places have already taken by the 4 semi-finalists winners.
At the Media Conference following the Japan-Philippines game, Head Coach Mark Torcaso expressed his admiration of how the Filipinas played despite the loss.  

He commented:
“I am proud of how the girls played but we want to get better.  We want to bridge the gap between the best teams and us.  And I think we are on that path.  We have just come from a fantastic result at the SEA Games and we have put ourselves in the best position for the World Cup.  We want to get better as a team and I know we will.  We have all the support from the Filipino people from around the world and the fantastic support of all our fans.  We have a fantastic crowd tonight again.  We saw so many Philippine flags out there and that makes me proud as a Head Coach.”
At the Mixed Zone as the players were leaving, this writer was able to get a few comments from Olivia McDaniel (Player #1, Goalkeeper) about the game.  She said:
“We were up against a strong opponent and one of the best teams in the world and definitely the best in Asia.  We’d take away that we were able to hold them up for good 44 minutes.  We’d learn from this and move forward.   Salamat sa suporta.  We love you guys. Thank you so much.  We still have one more game to go.  Be with us.  Be behind us.  Salamat. Mabuhay”.

Malea Cesar sent the message of thanks to the fans for their concern about her.  She assured everyone that she has been checked out and that she is fine, and would need just a bit of rest before the next game.

This is the Filipinas for you – beaten but eager to take on the next challenge.  The Head Coach and the players remain optimistic despite the big loss to Japan.  They are now focussing to a good result in their game against Ubezkistan and progress to the 2027 FIFA World Cup.  
As acknowledged by Head Coach Mark Torcaso, the support of the Fil-Aus in the crowd was heartwarming.  They cheered on wildly each save made and waved the Philippine flag throughout the game.
Talking about crowds, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ reported that another historic milestone of setting a new record for the highest attendance ever recorded for an AFC Women’s Asian Cup match featuring two non-host nations, as total tournament attendance soars past 200,000.

 “A crowd of 12,974 fans attended the Korea Republic v Uzbekistan Quarter Final at Stadium Australia on Saturday night, setting the new benchmark, before it was quickly surpassed today when 13,321 fans turned out to see the Japan v Philippines Quarter Final clash at the same venue. 

The previous record for a match featuring two non-host nations was10,000, set in 2014 in Vietnam when Australia met Japan in the Final.”

Calling all kababayans in the Gold Coast to again show their strong support to the Filipinas as they play the important game on March 18 at 1pm to represent the country at the 2127 FIFA World Cup to be held in Brazil.  The other playoff game is happening at 7pm at the same day in the same venue  is Chinese Taipei v DPR Korea.
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