PH qualifies for AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup

THE Philippine Under-17 Women’s National Football Team (Filipinas U17) qualified for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup for the third consecutive time, sweeping Group H of the 2027 qualifying tournament with a 3-0 win over Bangladesh on Sunday at Do’stlik Stadium Training Pitch 1 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Philippines had earlier beaten host Uzbekistan, 4-0, on Oct. 5. “Qualifying once is an achievement. Qualifying three times in a row tells us the work behind this program is sustainable. Each batch of the Filipinas U17 has built on the one before it, and we are proud of every player, staff member and supporter who made this possible,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez. Bangladesh held the Philippines scoreless for 72 minutes. Noelle Granger had a shot in front saved by goalkeeper Meghla Rani Roy in the fifth minute and Aryanna Capsa’s shot from the left was saved in the sixth. Ariana Enderes’ lob from the top was saved in the 16th, and Granger’s running shot from the right was saved in the 24th. Bangladesh created chances of its own before halftime. Defender Mousumi Akter headed a left corner slightly wide in the 44th minute, and striker Alpi Akter’s lob from outside the box hit the...