Pinay booters set pace in AFF U15

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines kick-started its Asean Football Federation (AFF) U15 Girls’ Championship campaign with a 2-0 victory over Indonesia Tuesday night at KM16 Stadium in Vientiane, Laos.

Viviana Cera (21’) and Katelyn Alexander (32’) took care of scoring as the Filipinas extracted maximum points and took the early lead in Group B.

Phl led Cambodia in table on goal difference. The Cambodians stunned Singapore, 2-1, in the other game.

“It’s always great to start the tournament with a win,” said Phl coach Marielle Benitez, who lauded her charges for “playing their hearts out to get the win.”

The Pinay booters charged at the Indons and attacked from all sides, drawing first blood in the 21st minute as an unmarked Cera blasted it home off Alexander’s cross from the left flank.

From deliverer, Alexander took the role of scorer 11 minutes later when she headed in a free kick from Chloe Williams. 

“The girls played well overall, save for a few lapses and missed chances,” said Benitez of the team whose core came from the group that won silver in the AFF U14 tilt last year.

Phl XI seeks to sustain the momentum in its next game against Cambodia Thursday night to boost its bid for a semis seat in the inaugural tourney.