The PHILIPPINES failed to complete their two-match sweep of the Pink Ladies Week in Antalya, Turkey when they lost to Kenya 1-4 on Wednesday.
After their 3-0 shutout by Jordan a few days ago, the Philippines looked for another impressive result but found the fast and aggressive Harambee Starlets settled the customer and suffered a 1-1 defeat in this trip.
“I’m disappointed because all week I felt like the girls responded well to the new system,” said coach Mark Torcaso, whose team is using the camp and tournament in Turkey to test a new style of play that focuses on attacking.
“We didn’t do that completely. There were a lot of individual mistakes, little mistakes that when you’re trying to put together a game plan, they can affect you. And when we face a team like Kenya, who are fast, physical and have good players who play in good leagues around the world, they can punish you.”
Kenya scored a quick goal through Elizabeth Mutukiza with seven minutes to go. Harambee Starlets went twice for 36th minute when Jessica Cowart sent a dangerous cross from the right side past Hali Long and into the Philippine net.
The Filipinos pushed one back 20 minutes after the restart as Sarina Bolden converted from the spot. But the Kenyans soon pulled two goals back through a wonder goal from Purity Alukwe before Fasila Adhiambo added a fourth with nine minutes to go.
“This was an opportunity for us to do something. We will stick to that. We are still going to work hard on what we are trying to do. But we also have to understand that we cannot make mistakes in situations that could cause us problems, and we definitely saw some of them today,” said Mr. Torcaso. – Olmin Leyba
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