Turkmenistan 0-2 Philippines
Having opened their qualifying campaign with a 6-1 defeat to Australia, Turkmenistan showed early intent with Lale Haipova catching the Philippines by surprise on the left flank but was denied by the right post.
Another quick counter-attack left the Philippines exposed on the right flank but Kamila Mingazova sent her effort just wide off the left post, while Malika Mammedova’s goal from distance was overturned in the fifth minute for an infringement.
image content
The Philippines, on four points after their 4-1 opening day win over Kuwait and 3-3 draw with Uzbekistan, struggled to find their rhythm with keeper Samantha Hughes needing to make an early intervention to keep out Dzhamilya Babayeva.
The Southeast Asian side had a golden opportunity to take the lead moments later but Judy Connolly wasted her free-kick after failing to find a way through the Turkmenistan box.
image content
Turkmenistan could have scored a minute after the restart but Hughes kept a firm stance to deny Maya Musaskaya’s powerful free-kick.
The Philippines, however, left Turkmenistan stunned in the 23rd minute after Cathrine Graversen initiated a move from the centre to set up Connolly, who slipped a through pass to Katrina Guillou to score from inside the area.
image content
Turkmenistan had only themselves to blame in the 30th minute when Dionesa Tolentin pounced on keeper Malika Eminova’s stray pass to Maya Musaskaya to slot home the second goal into an unattended net.
Uzbekistan meet Kuwait in the second fixture later on Wednesday.
Uzbekistan 5-0 Kuwait
Uzbekistan enjoyed a dream start, taking the lead inside the first minute off a set-piece situation after Kuwait keeper Aishah Alsabri misjudged the flight of Feruza Turdiboeva’s powerful long range effort.
image content
Despite having clear cut chances, Uzbekistan struggled to increase their tally with Maftuna Shoyimova sending her grounded effort right into the path of Alkhawari.
Kuwait almost got their act together in the fifth minute when Deena Alkhawari floated a dangerous ball into the box for Maryam Abdulraheem, who flashed her volley over the bar while at the other end, Alsabri foiled Shoyimova’s attempt to lob the custodian.
image content
Alsabri kept a cool head as the Kuwaiti goalkeeper continued to frustrate Uzbekistan, saving Shoyimova’s long-range effort and later stopping Umida Zoirova’s run into the box.
However, Alsabri took the bait in the 15th minute when Madina Vokhidova held up play at the top, drawing the attention of the Kuwaiti keeper, who got caught out after Zumratjon Nazarova gained possession before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Kuwait fell further behind four minutes later when Shoyimova finished off Turdiboeva’s cross from the right, leaving the West Asian side with a mountain to climb heading into the break.
image content
As they did in the first half, Uzbekistan started the second period with a bang, Lyudmila Karachik held up play before teeing up Shoyimova to strike home their fourth goal.
Uzbekistan kept their foot on the pedal with Shoyimova completing her hat-trick with a scorcher from outside the arc in the 37th minute.
