Filipinas determined to sustain hot pace vs Malaysians

First, the Philippines shocked fancied Australia in a homecoming game to remember. Then the host nation ripped Singapore in a seven-star performance. And from all indications, the Filipinas have no plans of easing up in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship. “I expect the team to continue to keep a high tempo,” midfield dynamo Jessica Miclat said as the Pinay booters gun for their third consecutive win tonight against Malaysia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. “I think everybody on the bench is ready to go at any moment. All the players, whether we started in the first game or the second game, everyone is ready to give a hundred percent and that’s all we’re going to give on the field in our next games,” she added. With their 1-0 reversal over the Matildas U23 and 7-nil shutout of the Lionesses, the Filipinas grabbed pole position in Group A with six points ahead of Thailand (four points), which salvaged a 2-2 stalemate with Australia Wednesday.

Malaysia, the Philippines’ opponent in the 7 p.m. fixture, runs third with two points off back-to-back draws, including a 1-1 tie with Indonesia Wednesday behind the last-gasp equalizer from captain Steffi Sarge Kaur.

Hot-starting Philippines has shown its depth in the early skirmishes, with coach Alen Stacjic retaining only four starters from the Australia outing in the succeeding duel with Singapore and sending in subs without losing quality.

Matches today (Rizal Memorial Stadium)

4 p.m. – Australia vs Indonesia 7 p.m. – Malaysia vs Philippines

(Biñan Stadium)

7 p.m. – Thailand vs Singapore