The Filipinas need a win in their last group stage game in the AFC Women's Asian Cup -- and more -- to have a chance to qualify for the World Cup.
The Philippine women's national football team faces a tall task as they attempt to get out of the group stage in the AFC Women's Asian Cup, following their second loss in Group A, 3-nil against South Korea, in Gold Coast on Thursday.
The Filipinas, who are currently third in their group, can no longer chase South Korea and hosts Australia in the Top 2 in Group A, which would've sealed their place in the knockout rounds.
[READ: Filipinas fall to South Korea in AFC Women's Asian Cup, eye must-win Iran tiff]
With one match remaining, the Filipinas' only hope to move forward is to finish among the top two third placers across the three groups.
As of this writing, with other groups yet to play their second matches, the Filipinas are dead last among the third-placers.
All eyes will be on the Filipinas' final group stage match against a fellow winless Iran side that is currently in last place in Group A due to goal difference.
Head coach Mark Torcaso hopes his players move forward quickly from their recent setback, especially as another desperate squad in Iran looms in their next match slated on Sunday, March 8.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t get the result we wanted,” Torcaso said after the loss against South Korea.
“But we can’t focus on that now. We’ve got to focus on the next game and what we need to do against Iran.”
As of writing, it remains up in the air just how much ground the Filipinas will have to make up, with other groups still playing matches both on Friday and Saturday.
But a win against Iran will be pivotal for their chances.
While getting three points will be big, Filipinas veteran Angie Beard also underscored the importance of their winning margin, as goal difference may be what determines the Filipinas' fate.
”We’ll reflect on the mistakes and the positives and work to create more goal chances,” she said.
“Goal difference could become important, so regardless of who we face next we need to make sure we’re doing all the right things.”
The Filipinas are hoping to break through after being held goalless in their first two assignments of the competition.
A sizeable win against Iran will be paramount for the Filipinas with Groups B and C still having matches after Sunday.
Should they get into the knockout round, the Filipinas will have two chances to play for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Slots will be given to the four semifinalists outright, which is how the team clinched their historic World Cup berth back in 2022, while the losers of the quarterfinal will engage in a play-in to complete the six slots given to the AFC.
Winners of the play-in match get an outright World Cup slot while the losers will still have a last-gasp chance through the inter-confederation playoffs.
While the Filipinas' exact position heading into their game against Iran on Sunday is still up in the air, one thing is for certain: they'll need to bring their A-game to even have a chance of returning to the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Filipinas tangle with Iran at the Gold Coast Stadium at 5pm, Manila time, on Sunday. It will air live on Pilipinas Live and on One Sports+.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.embed