14 August 2019
By Kevin Estrada
The Philippines kicked off its campaign off to a flying start at the AFF Women’s Championship in Chonburi, Thailand after a 3-0 shutout of Malaysia last Wednesday.
Managed by FEU boss Let Dimzon, the Malditas were led by Camille Rodriguez whose brace were sandwiched by Hali Long’s second half strike to lead Group A, with East Timor the other winner after a 2-1 win over Singapore in the other tiff which was played at the Institute of Physical Education Stadium.
The former Ateneo skipper opened the tournament with a tap-in from an initial effort by Alisha Del Campo that hit the crossbar five minutes before half-time.
In the second-half, Long headed a Claire Lim free kick to double their lead in the 51st minute. Rodriguez added a third at the hour mark as she pounced on a howler by Azurin Mazlan with another tap-in from another free kick by Lim.
Both the Malditas and East Timor square off tomorrow afternoon at the IPE Stadium, before taking a four-day layover ahead of their clash with hosts and defending champions Thailand on next Wednesday.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @kevinlestrada
