Meryll Serrano scored one of three goals for the Philippine Women’s National Football Team lead to a 3-0 triumph over Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification tournament on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Serrano, who is now with FK Haugesund in Norway, drew first blood early by assisting Jaclyn Sawicki’s maiden international goal in the 16th minute, giving the Filipinas an early lead.
After that 27-year-old Serrano, playing a midfielder for Filipinas added to their advantage in the 55th minute with a solo run to the goal.
Next, 18-year-old Filipino-American forward Alexa Pino struck in the 81st minute, to cap the Filipinas’ great start, and this earned the early lead in their Group G campaign.
With the victory, the Philippines tops the group with three points, while Saudi Arabia sits at the bottom. The other two teams in the group, Hong Kong and host Cambodia, are set to clash later tonight.
Up next for the Filipinas is a showdown against regional rival Cambodia on Wednesday at 8 p.m. (Manila time), while Saudi Arabia will take on Hong Kong earlier at 5 p.m.
