Preston FK vs Vietnam sees Filipinas U17 punch ticket to Asian Cup

The Philippines U-17 edged hosts Vietnam through an Isabella Preston free kick, advancing to the 2024 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup from Group B of the Qualifiers at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center in Hanoi.

PHOTO CREDIT: Philippine Women's National Football Team

Coming into the match, the Filipinas needed a win to advance to the U17 Asian Cup, while any other result would be enough to see Vietnam through.

Both sides had their chances early on, Vietnam threatening to take the lead early on a few occasions through pacy forward Ngan Thi Thanh Hieu.

Later in the half, the Filipinas grew more into the game, notably with Sophia Saludares coming close to scoring multiple times, but the first 45 minutes finished 0-0.

The Filipinas U17 eventually broke the deadlock in the 57th minute through Isabella Preston, with a free kick from distance going over Vietnam keeper Le Thi Thu and into the back of the net.

Thanh Hieu again threatened to score in the 66th minute, forcing a save from keeper Samantha Hughes. Substitute Le Thi Trang pounced on the loose ball, but Filipinas U17 captain Ariana Markey made a crucial goal-line block to keep the score 1-0 to the Filipinas.

The Philippines continued to pile on the pressure, looking for a goal to seal the result. Saludares again came close from inside the box in the 70th minute, while Nina Mathelus hit the right goalpost off a breakaway after 75 minutes.

With the result, the Philippines will progress to the 2024 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup in Indonesia to be held April next year. They will be joining hosts Indonesia, previous podium finishers Japan, North Korea and China, South Korea and Thailand from Group A, and already-qualified Australia from Group B.