Filipinas crushed by Japan but get another crack at World Cup berth

MANILA, Philippines – For over 40 minutes, the Filipinas’ defense held against mighty Japan.

But it was just a matter of time before the Japanese hit their stride as they handily beat the Philippines, 7-0, to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Sunday, March 15.

A header by Mina Tanaka at the 45th minute following a scramble in the box opened the floodgates for two-time Asian Cup champion Japan, which posted its second-most lopsided win of this edition next to its 11-0 thrashing of India to preserve its streak of World Cup appearances.

World No. 8 Japan has played in every World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1991. 

Three minutes after teammate Tanaka broke the scoring ice, Toko Koga doubled Japan’s lead before halftime with a header off a Honoka Hayashi assist, then found the back of the net again as one of five Japanese scorers in the second half.

Remina Chiba and Manaka Matsukubo pushed Japan’s lead to 5-0 with goals at the 65th and 67th minutes, Koga accomplished his brace at the 76th minute, before Momoko Tanikawa and Riko Ueki punctuated the blowout with conversions at the 86th and 90th minutes.

While the Filipinas failed to earn a World Cup berth in the same manner as they did in the 2022 edition of the Asian Cup where they reached the semifinals after outlasting Chinese Taipei in a penalty shootout, they can still qualify for the global showdown through a play-in match against Uzbekistan on Thursday, March 19, at the Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia. 

Uzbekistan lost 6-0 to South Korea in the quarterfinals on Saturday, March 14. 

The Philippines has won just one game in this Asian Cup — a 2-0 victory over Iran in the group stage — but it hopes to end its run on a high note and with a World Cup spot secured. – Rappler.com