Filipinas' one-nil triumph over Iran not enough as Uzbekistan routs India

Uzbekistan blanked India, 3-0, to reach the third round of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Olympic Qualifiers while breaking the heart of the Philippine women's national football team (PWNFT).

The Filipinas overcame a gritty Iran side, 1-0, but their inferior goal difference (GD) against the Uzbeks ended the Philippines' 2024 Paris Olympics dream at the HBF Park on Wednesday, November 1.

Last Sunday, Mark Torcaso's side absorbed a humiliating 8-0 defeat over Australia, which put them on a mission to beat Iran by at least a 6-0 score.

This, after falling to third place of the best runner-up nations with a humbling -5 GD. They outclassed Chinese Taipei, 4-1, in their opening match in Group A.

READ: 2024 AFC Olympic Qualifiers: Filipinas deny Chinese Taipei of revenge as Bolden leads way

The results of the other matches will also determine the chances of the Filipinas to reach the next phase. A South Korea-China draw, a Vietnam loss to Japan, and India defeating or holding Uzbekistan to a draw must happen for a miracle to come true.

Team captain Tahnai Annis delivered the lone and game-winning goal in the 19th minute, as the Filipinas struggled to add more for the rest of the match with the Iranian defense on guard.

Iran had their chances, but the Filipinas' defense and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel held them scoreless to drop the Western Asian squad to its second loss.

In other matches, China and South Korea failed to qualify for the third round after a 1-1 draw, while Vietnam got beaten by North Korea – outcomes the Philippines were hoping for.

However, Uzbekistan subdued India, 3-0, to finish as the best runner-up team in the three groups, relegating the Filipinas to second place by a superior GD.

It was another heartbreaker for the 44th-ranked Philippines, which suffered a second consecutive Round 2 exit in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

The Filipinas exited the 2020 Tokyo OQT on the same note as this year after Chinese Taipei ousted them, alongside victories over Iran and Palestine in Group C.

The Uzbeks, world number 50, joined Australia, Japan, and North Korea in the AFC Olympic Qualifiers' two-legged third round set in February next year.

Australia takes on Uzbekistan while North Korea and Japan go head-to-head, with the winning sides in each match punching their tickets to next year's quadrennial meet in the French capital.