Coming off a big game against Saudi Arabia with her maiden goal for the Filipinas, Alexa Pino is looking forward to another great match against Cambodia in the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers.
The Philippine women’s national football team will be facing host Cambodia in a crucial affair in Group G action in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Wednesday.
With the winners of each group the only one moving on to the final tournament, the Filipinas are eyeing to get all three points in their second match. They currently lead the group with a win to their name by beating Saudi Arabia earlier.
After scoring her maiden goal for the Filipinas in the senior team, Alexa Pino said there are a lot of positives to go about their 3-nil win over KSA.
[READ: Filipinas dominate Saudi Arabia to start AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers]
Despite missing main gunner Sarina Bolden due to injury, the Filipinas have done well for themselves.
“I think we played very well,” she said of their match against Saudi Arabia.
“There were a couple of times where we could’ve executed a little more better on finishing. But our movement, off and on the ball was very good and we opened spaces on the wing, in the middle, and just overall very good.”
But playing against Cambodia on their home turf poses another threat, as they are also seeking a maiden win after drawing their previous match against Hong Kong over the weekend.
Knowing that the crowd will be against them, Pino is raring to go with the flow.
Still expecting some Filipino fans flying out and OFWs to support them in the stands, the Filipinas are eager to just play in what is expected to be an electric environment.
It can be recalled that the Filipinas also played against the home team during their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance against New Zealand, which they won 1-nil.
While Cambodia is a totally different challenge, Pino said she is looking forward to the match.
“I’m very excited. I mean, it doesn’t matter who’s coming to support us. I love all of our fans that are coming from the farthest distance away, but even all the Cambodian fans, I know it’s gonna be such a great game. Night game too, it’s gonna be awesome,” she said.
The Filipinas kick off against Cambodia at 8 p.m., Manila time.