MANILA – The Philippine National Women's Futsal Team or "Filipina5" bowed to world no. 14 Poland in the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup.
The Philippines fell prey to Poland, 6-0, in front of an electric home crowd at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Friday.
The Filipina5 were off to a good start when Dionesa Tolentin had a close attempt that hit the left post four minutes into the match.
But Julia Basta found the breakthrough for Poland in the 7th minute, striking with her right foot to get past Filipina5 goalkeeper Samantha Hughes.
Minutes after getting issued a yellow card, Natalia Matuszewska firing from close range to double the lead of Poland at halftime.
Poland continued its rout of the Philippines when Julia Szostak and Basta scored back-to-back goals to create a comfortable lead early in the second half, 4-0.
The woes continued for the Filipina5 with an own goal from Lanie Ortillo, after she mistakenly deflected the ball into their net in the 27th minute.
Poland dealt the final blow in the 30th minute off a set-piece conversion from Klaudia Dyminska.
The Philippines never got any clear chances until the final whistle, absorbing the tough loss in their first assignment.
Earlier in the day, Argentina routed Morocco in the curtain-raiser of the inaugural competition with a dominant 6-0 victory.
Ana Ontiveros scored the very-first goal in the tournament, making history for herself and the powerhouse Argentinian team.
The Filipina5 will next face Morocco, while Poland takes on World No. 6 Argentina on Monday in the same venue.