Filipinas crush Cambodia, 6-0, in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying tournament, close in on ticket

The Philippines got closer to a ticket to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup’s tournament proper on Wednesday at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.

Meryll Serrano once again led the Filipinas with two goals as they posted a 6-0 victory over host Cambodia.

The 27-year old Serrano struck in the 19th minute and in the 36th minute for the Filipinas, who posted their second straight in Group G.

“To be honest, we watched Hong Kong against Cambodia. I was actually quite nervous to this game when we got the first and second goal, I thought we were doing good,” said Serrano in a post-game interview.

The Filipinas now lead Group G and need only a draw against second-placed Hong Kong  on Sunday at 5 p.m. to officially earn a slot to the tournament proper in Australia next year.

Hong Kong turned back Saudi Arabia, 1-0, in another encounter to hike their win-draw-loss record to 1-1-0.

It was Alexa Pino who drew first blood for the Filipinas when  she slammed a volley in the 18th minute, while Sofia Harrison-Wunsch’s cross was accidentally sent  into the net by a Cambodian defender in the 40th minute for an own goal.

A fourth goal went in the 41st minute,  when Cambodian defender Somrit Nimol sent Sofia Nicole Wunsch’s cross into her own net.

The Filipinas’ early assault saw them taking a 5-0 edge at halftime.

Skipper Hali Long sent in a sixth goal,  after she sneaked in at the back post to tap home Angela Beard’s free-kick in the 48th minute.

Also in the 48th,Carleigh Frilles sprinted in from the right flank, flicked a to Chandler McDaniel, who slotted home the sixth goal.

Both sides were  reduced to 10 players, with Philippines forward Nina Mathelus getting ejected  in the 90th minute for a late challenge on Hea Sreylas.

 Cambodia’s Sem Malin was sent out shortly after getting  a second yellow card.