By Peter Atencio
Skipper Tahnai Annis scored only one goal, but the big plays she created with her all-around presence allowed the Philippines to pull off a dominant 7-0 rout of Singapore on Day 3 of the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The 33-year-old midfielder from Zanesville, Ohio pushed her teammates to goals and their Singaporean rivals into crucial errors all evening, sending the Filipinas to their second straight victory in Group A and a fitting followup to their 1-0 stunner against Australia on Monday.
“Some of the combination plays, substitutions and passes made with the ball went through the whole game,” said PH coach Allen Stajcic as the Filipinas assured themselves of a place in the semifinals.
The Filipinas started their scoring spree when Annis heaved a corner kick to Isabella Flanigan, who chipped in the team’s goal as her volley sailed above goalie Beatrice Tan Li’s head.
Their next goal immediately came when Singaporean booter Ernie Sontaril mishandled a goal-line clearance on Annis’ cross pass in the 10th minute as the Filipinas took a 2-0 edge on an own goal.
It was Annis’ turn to score in the 20th minute after she received a cross pass from Flannigan.With a 4-0 halftime edge, the Filipinas then finished strong after Sarina Bolden struck in the 38th minute off Annis’ assist.
Not done yet, Annis’ crosses in the second half saw Sara Eggesvik and Kaya Hawkinson adding to the Filipinas’ tally in the 46th and 54 minutes for their fifth and sixth goals.
Annicka Castane sent in the seventh and final goal on the 78th minute for the Filipinas.
Earlier, Thailand played the Australian under-23 team to a 2-all draw, with Ploychompoo Somnonk tying the match in the 60th minute.
Stajcic said the Filipinas showed unity from within during their encounter with Singapore and this speaks well on how they are adjusting well.
“It’s the disciplines and the alignments within the group when their goals came,” added Stajcic.
In another game, Indonesia drew with Malaysia, 1-all, in a fight-marred contest in Binan, Laguna.