Dabawenya striker Joyce Semacio shone for the Philippine National Women’s Team in a 2-0 win over Iran in their opening match of the second round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Semacio exploited a frantic clearance by an Iranian defender, executing a brilliant volley that looped over Iranian goalkeeper Zahra Khajavi in the 47th minute for the ice-breaker. The play started with forward Eva Madarang’s throw in which was headed through to the goal by Hali Moriah Long before Semacio’s timely looper.
The Pinay booters played tenatively through the first half allowing Iran to dictate possession. Playing in their blue kit, the Philippines regrouped at half-time to shock the Central Asian powerhouse with two successive goals early in the second half.
The Pinays’ second goal came five minutes after Semacio’s marker when Sara Castañeda sent a through-pass to La Salle teammate Alisha Del Campo who then wrong-footed the Iranian keeper to double the scoreline.
After the momentum shift, Iran felt the urgency to get back as they poured in their attack. However, Philippine keeper Inna Palacios made some acrobatic saves to keep the hijab-clad ladies scoreless until full-time, nabbing a tenth career international cleansheet in the process.
The Philippines now share 3 points with Chinese Taipei, who lead slightly at the top of the table on goal difference, and will face them next on Saturday, April 6 at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar 8:00 p.m. local time (Sunday, April 7, 1:00 a.m. Philippine time.)
Iran XI: Khajavi (GK), Amineh, Motevali, Sohrabi, Sarbali, Ghanbari (C), Chahkandi, Taherkhani, Hamoudi, Rouzbahan, Dabbaghi
Philippines XI: Palacios (GK), Long, Dolino, Tomanon, Bernal, Impelido (C), Simarago, Navaja, Del Campo, Castañeda, Semacio
Philippines are in Group C in the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Japan and are pooled with the likes of IR Iran, Philippines and Palestine.
The Philippines next face Chinese Taipei at the same venue on April 6.
Their final group match will see them take on Palestine at the Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium in Al Wakrah on April 9. Only the winner of the group will progress to the third round of the qualifiers.
Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia will also compete in the second round in other groups while Thailand join the qualification process in the third round.
The team features three United States-based players while Perth Glory goalkeeper Stacey Janet Margery Cavill also is included. Marnelli Dimzon will serve as the head coach of the team with two assistants — Gerald Orcullo and Melo Sabacan — are also named.
The Philippines women’s squad for 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers is composed of:
Goalkeepers: Stacey Janet Margery Cavill (Perth Glory, Australia), Inna Kristianne Palacios (Green Archers United FC), Kimberly Parina (Far Eastern University)
Defenders: Analou Amita (OutKast FC), Mea Bernal (OutKast FC), Chelo Marie Hodges (De La Salle University), Mary Harriette Lan (Far Eastern University), Hali Moriah Long (Green Archers United FC), Christina Montelibano (De La Salle University), Hannah Pachejo (Far Eastern University), Tara Shelton (Holy Names Academy, USA), Calah Simarago (UC Santa Barbara, USA), Patricia Tomanon (Florida International University, USA)
Midfielders: Sara Isobel Castaneda (De La Salle University), Alesa Dolino (OutKast FC), Patrice Mae Impelido (Hiraya FC), Loreta Ladero (OutKast FC), Rocelle Marie Mendano (De La Salle University), Irish Navaja (De La Salle University), Kathleen Camille Rodriguez (Hiraya FC)
Forwards: Alisha Clare Del Campo (De La Salle University), Eva Madarang (Rogers State University), Joyce Semacio (Miriam College).
