Women’s Asian Cup-bound Filipinas U-17 beat Kaya in friendly

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine team that will compete in the AFC Women’s U-17 Asian Cup edged out PFF Women’s League champion Kaya-Iloilo, 1-0, in a friendly match held Thursday at Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.

Bella Alamo scored the winning goal off an assist from Louraine Evangelista to give the Filipinas U-17 a victory in one of their last tune-ups before heading to Bali, Indonesia for their maiden campaign in the continental tournament.

Kaya missed a penalty late in the match, according to a report provided by the team.

READ: Filipinas U-17 beat Vietnam, clinch spot in AFC Asian Cup

The friendly was split into three 30-minute periods instead of the standard two 45-minute halves.

Coach Sinisa Cohadzic’s side played the exhibition as part of its final preparations for the Asian Cup which will see the Philippines face the host nation, North Korea and South Korea in Group A.

A friendly is tentatively scheduled Sunday at the same pitch before the team heads to Bali for the Asian Cup which starts May 6.

The three best teams will qualify for the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Nina Mathekus, Aiselyn Sia, Alexa Pino and Isabella Preston are among the 31-player taking part in the team’s ongoing camp.

The Filipinas U-17 faced a Kaya side led by senior national team skipper Hali Long and striker Shelah Mae Cadag.