The Filipinas had a strong start in their Dubai camp, reinforced by a Chandler McDaniel brace against UAE. The Philippine Women's National Football Team also had plenty of support at the sidelines--featuring some welcome, familiar faces.
The Philippine Women’s National Football Team delivered a confident and commanding performance in the desert, outclassing the United Arab Emirates, 4-1, in an international friendly on Saturday, April 5, Manila time.
Chandler McDaniel starred with a first-half brace, while captain Hali Long opened the scoring and Meryll Serrano added her name to the scoresheet in a four-goal outburst that showcased the Filipinas’ attacking depth and growing chemistry.
It was Long who set the tone early, nodding in the opening goal in the eighth minute, before McDaniel doubled the lead in the 19th minute. The American-born forward struck again in the 33rd, just moments after Serrano made it 3-0 with a classy effort in the 31st minute.
UAE managed to pull one back in the second half, but the match had long been decided by then, with the Filipinas controlling possession and tempo throughout.
Adding to the match highlights, Paige McSwigan and Aliana Weibel both made their international debuts, joining a new generation of talent looking to break through the national squad.
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After the final whistle, a touching reunion unfolded on the pitch, as longtime veterans Inna Palacios, Sara Castañeda, and Hali Long shared heartfelt moments with former Filipinas teammates from the 2010s — Jowe Ann Barruga, Aiza Mondero, and Nikki Regalado — a reminder of the team’s journey and legacy over the past decade.
The win adds a valuable layer of experience and momentum for the Filipinas with another friendly set in the Dubai camp. This is aimed to prepare the Philippines for tournaments such as the Asian Cup qualifiers and the Southeast Asian Games.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]