Filipinas take care of business vs Iran XI

MANILA, Philippines — The Filipinas dispatched Iran in the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, 1-0, to keep their slim hopes for the Paris Games alive yesterday at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia.

Tahnai Annis’ first-half strike did the trick as the Pinay booters fended off the pesky Iranians and claimed the crucial win on All Saints’ Day that threw a lifeline to their Olympiad aspirations.

With six points on two victories and one loss and -4 goal difference, the Filipinas secured second spot in Group A behind unbeaten host Australia, which carried six points on two wins and +10 GD prior to last night’s duel with Chinese-Taipei (one point on one draw and one loss).

This put the Philippines in the running still for the lone ticket to the final round of the Qualifiers to be awarded to the “best runner-up” across the three groups.

But for this to materialize, the football gods should smile on Mark Torcaso’s crew. The Filipinas needed a draw between China and Korea in Group B and a draw or loss by Uzbekistan to India in Group C to gain passage to Round 3 alongside the three group winners.

It wasn’t entirely in their hands but the Philippines took care of business on their end.

On attack mode from the get-go, the Filipinas broke through at the 19th minute with Annis blasting it home after Sofia Harrison’s shot was blocked by Iran keeper Zahra Khajavi.

Except for that instance, Khajavi proved up to the task and denied the rest of the Philippine assault.

Philippine counterpart Liv McDaniel also had a busy day and was even in luck in the 50th when Zhara Ghanbari beat her with a shot that hit the crossbar.