Mathelus brace gives Filipinas U17 lead, but fall short 2-6 vs Aussies in Asian Cup qualifier

An early brace from Nina Mathelus was not enough as the Philippine women's national U-17 football team faced six unanswered Australia goals, to open Group B of the 2024 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center in Hanoi.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pilipinas Women's National Football Team

Promising forward Nina Mathelus opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 14 minutes, followed by another in the 17th to give the Filipinas U-17 a 2-0 cushion.

But Australia eventually grew into the match, using their advantage at set pieces. Grace Kuilamu scored off a corner kick in the 30th minute, before Ruby Cuthbert scored in the 43rd to draw the Junior Matildas level.

The match was level at 2-2 after the break, but the young Filipinas could not keep the same pressure at the start, while Australia found their rhythm. They eventually took the lead a minute into the second half through Shelby McMahon, again from a corner.

Lillian Skelly scored on the break in the 55th minute, followed by a long-range effort from Talia Younis in the 76th.

The Junior Matildas then rounded out the scoreline through a Mikayla Duong penalty on 85 minutes.

The Filipinas U-17 will go on to face Bangladesh on the 22nd and hosts Vietnam on the 24th to complete Group B action. The top two teams from the group will advance to the 2024 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup to be held in Indonesia.