Nepal succumbed to 4-0 defeat against Philippines in the first match of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualifier here at the APF grounds in Halchowk on Wednesday.

Philippines skipper Maria Lazo struck twice in the five minutes in first half before Alamo Keanne Maicah and Villacin Mikaela added more goals after the break to seal a comprehensive win. Nepal made bright start coming close to scoring early in the 12th minute when a freekick from Sabita Rana Magar rebounded off the crossbar. The Philippines goalkeeper Yap Odeza Marie slight touch prevented it from entering the net. Two minutes later Asmita Chaudhary was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet as she was also denied by woodwork.

After the early scare Philippines resorted to counter attack and came up with first real threat in the 27th minute when captain Lazo dribbled past goalie Karina Dhimal only to be  cleared to safety by Sabina Chaudhary from the goalline. Nepal were a goal down in the 42nd when Jianna Kate Simons pounced on a defensive error to set up Lazo to score from inside the area.

Lazo doubled their tally in the first half injury time scoring with individual brilliance, taking the ball almost from the midfield before firing in the second. Philippines were 3-0 up in the 76th through Alamo before Villacin sealed the comprehensive Philippines victory in the 82nd minute.

Nepal coach Ganga Gurung, who believed the first match to be crucial in their bid to qualify for the Finals, singled out defensive errors for her team’s defeat. “We lost due to defensive mistakes. We also failed to build on the early momentum,” said Gurung ruing on the missed chances. Gurung said they would go for win in their next two matches—against Myanmar on Friday and Malaysia on Sunday—in order to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Philippines coach Joyce Bernardo Landagan credited the hard work for the victory. “Despite coming under pressure in the early periods, our girls showed tremendous fighting spirit,” said Landagan. “Nepal are a strong contender but we succeeded in capitalise on chances that came our way. We will try our best in our remaining games as well.”  

The early kickoff of the day saw Myanmar beat Malaysia 3-0 with all three goals coming in second half. Myat Noe Khin netted all three goals for Myanmar after they broke the deadlock in the 75th. She doubled the advantage in the 87th before completing the hat-trick two minutes later.