Alexa Pino Shines as Filipinas Beat Saudi Arabia to Open AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers Campaign

Published June 29, 2025 7:23pm

The Philippine women’s national football team, known as the Filipinas, launched their second FIFA World Cup bid in dominant style, defeating the newly-formed Saudi Arabian squad, 3-0, in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers on Sunday at the National Sports Complex of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

Making her debut in a major tournament for the seniors squad, Alexa Pino achieved a milestone by netting her maiden goal for the Filipinas, propelling the team to an early lead in Group G, which also features host nation Cambodia and Hong Kong. With only group winners advancing to the tournament proper in Australia next year, every point is vital.

Despite the absence of prolific attackers Sarina Bolden and Katrina Guillou due to injuries, Mark Torcaso’s call-ups provided invaluable contributions on the pitch.

Veteran Jackie Sawicki broke her international scoring drought, firing in her first goal for the Philippines after 35 appearances. Her 16th-minute strike came from a determined run and finish, slipping the ball past three Saudi Arabian defenders and goalkeeper Mona Alowais, granting the Filipinas a 1-0 advantage.

Buoyed by their opening goal, the Philippines maintained aggressive momentum into the second half. Meryll Serrano, after assisting Sawicki, found the net herself in the 55th minute, carving through a scramble in the box to double the lead.

Holding the majority of possession, the Filipinas consistently threatened the relatively inexperienced Saudi Arabian team—newcomers who played their first international match only in 2022—which struggled to keep pace against the sustained pressure.

Capping off the scoring, Pino, who competed in the U17 Asian Cup last year, marked her first senior goal with a left-footed strike to the top corner, latching onto a pinpoint cross from Carleigh Frilles to showcase her emerging talent.

Pino had previously debuted for the seniors in 2024 during a set of FIFA friendlies against South Korea. Now, she is determined to make her presence count on the Asian Cup stage.

With valuable opening points secured, the Filipinas are set to face Cambodia on July 2 before concluding group play against Hong Kong on July 5.

Team V.GG-LNK