Written by 
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippines bowed to powerhouse Australia, 2-1, that put its hopes for a spot in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup Finals in peril on Sunday, Jan. 19, in the Qualifiers at the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The Australians, who were already assured of a seat in the next phase, waxed hot early with their aggressive attacks and leaned on Daisy Arrowsmith and Jessica Au to keep them unscathed in four matches.
The Aussies topped Group C with 12 points, while the PH booters remained with seven points at second on two wins, one draw and one loss.
The Filipinas await their fate as host Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are battling as of this writing. The Uzbeks are currently with four points on one win, one draw and one loss, and still have the chance to earn that coveted second spot.
The hosts not only need a win but also goals as they have to better the Filipinas’ superior goal difference.
Katrina Guillou almost gave the Nationals an early edge but her grounded effort went wide on the left post.
Arrowsmith, then, pounced on a stray clearance from Judy Connolly before striking into the back of the net in the seventh minute for the Australians.
The Filipinas, however, quickly equalized the match in the waning seconds of the first half courtesy of Isabella Flanigan, but the Australians scored within seconds of the second half from Au and held that lead since then.