Filipinas return to World Cup!

Angela Beard and Jaclyn Sawicki scored in a six-minute span to help Philippines secure a World Cup spot with a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Thursday in the Women's Asian Cup playoffs.

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THE Philippines bench clears at the full-time whistle as substitute players sprinted onto the pitch to join their teammates celebrate back-to-back World Cup qualification. AFC PHOTO

(AFC PHOTO)

The Philippines had nine shots at goal in the first half without being able to break the deadlock, but Beard needed only two minutes following the interval to make it 1-0 in the playoffs at the Cbus Super Stadium in the suburbs of Robina.

The ex-Australia youth international perfectly timed her run to the edge of the box and leaped to drive a left-foot volley into the net off the crossbar after Jael-Marie Guy's long, high cross from the right.

Guy crossed from the right again for Sawicki to double the lead with a header from edge of the box in the 52nd to ensure the Philippines qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

The Philippines bench cleared at the full-time whistle as the substitute players sprinted onto the pitch and joined their teammates to celebrate back-to-back World Cup qualification.