FOOTBALL – SECOND-HALF goals from Angela Beard and Jaclyn Sawicki steered the Philippines to a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in their Fifa Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 playoff at the Gold Coast Stadium yesterday.
The win sealed the Philippines a second consecutive Fifa World Cup ticket while Uzbekistan still have hope of making a maiden appearance on the global stage through the Inter-Confederation Playoffs later in 2026.
Uzbekistan started with Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva, Umida Zoirova and Nilufar Kudratova leading their frontline with Beard and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel returning to the line-up for the Philippines.
Philippines applied the early pressure with Sara Eggesvik cutting past Dilrabo Asadova and Zarina Mamatkarimova before pulling her shot from above the box just wide of the left post.
Goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova then frustrated Philippines with a smart intervention in the 21st minute, thwarting Beard’s deep cross cum shot from a set-piece before Uzbekistan turned up the pressure.
Lyudmila Karachik first tried her luck from distance, firing over the bar in the 24th minute before showing composure moments later to feed Zarina Mamatkarimova, whose effort from inside a crowded box was comfortably gathered by McDaniel.
Jonimqulova survived a nervy moment in the 36th minute when she almost conceded possession from a routine clearance to the on-rushing Beard inside the six-yard-box, before stepping up to foil the former’s effort from close range.
Uzbekistan were then forced into a change after Gulzoda Amirova picked up a knock with Ilvina Ablyakimova coming on, while Leyla Oraniyazova made a crucial intervention just before the break to deny Eggesvik from close range.
The Philippines enjoyed a dream start to the second half, taking the lead two minutes into the restart after Jael-Marie Guy curled a pin-point cross which found Beard, whose volley saw the ball striking the crossbar before bouncing over the line.
The Southeast Asian side struck their second in the 52nd minute after Guy delivered another curling cross to Sawicki, who planted a looping header over Jonimqulova and into the bottom right corner.
Uzbekistan were left stunned and failed to respond as Philippines comfortably saw out the win to confirm their ticket to the Fifa Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Meanwhile, North Korea booked their World Cup ticket with a 4-0 win against Chinese Taipei.
Hong Song Ok starred with a hat-trick and the victory means North Korea will return to the global showpiece for the first time since 2011 while Chinese Taipei’s qualification hopes now depend on advancing past the Inter-Confederation Playoffs later in 2026.
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