Pinay booters duel Thais for AFC U-14 crown

Captain Carleigh Frilles struck hard as the Philippines clobbered Myanmar, 5-1, to set a finals showdown with Thailand in the AFC U-14 Girls’ Regional Championship for the Asean Zone Saturday night at Chao Anouvong Stadium in Vientiane, Laos.

Frilles fired a hat trick while Trinity Wambolt and Maria Lazo helped in scoring as Phl continued its unbeaten run in the competition among Southeast Asian sides and gained a shot at a monumental triumph for the country in an international football meet.

The Pinays equaled the finals appearance of their U-14 counterparts in 2014, who also battled the Thais in the championship game. But the current crop could do better by getting back at Thailand in Episode 2 of their titular duel and winning it all this time.

The Thais dethroned last year’s ruler Vietnam with a 2-0 win in the other semis encounter.

Phl and Myanmar fought on even terms in the first half with Wambolt’s 12th-minute opener cancelled out by Myat Nee Khin’s goal seven minutes later.

The Pinays cranked it up after restart with Frilles delivering the first two of her treble in the 37th and 55th then Lazo making it a three-goal cushion three minutes later. Frilles put the icing on the cake with goal No. 3 just before the final whistle.

“The girls did an amazing job today,” said assistant coach Marielle Benitez. “One more game to win, finals against Thailand.”