MANILA – Powerhouse Brazil led the four early quarterfinalists after six match days in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup (FFWWC) Philippines 2025, with eight other sides vying for the last four tickets.
Top-ranked Brazil, looking to add the inaugural FFWWC to its previous global and regional competition victories, dispatched Italy, 6-1, at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday for back-to-back victories in Group D and a sure quarters seat with a game to spare.
Meanwhile, the Philippines ended its stint with a 1-5 loss to Argentina. Isabella Bandoja scored on a counterattack in the second half to avert a shutout in the final matchday of Group A.
Argentina (Group A) already made it to the quarterfinals even before the match, along with fellow top seeds Portugal (Group C) and Spain (Group B).
Portugal outclassed Asian champion Japan, 4-1, to get to six points.
Spain booked its Last 8 tickets with a second win Tuesday.
The race for the remaining seats heats up in the next three days of the prestigious tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation.
Poland and Morocco, level at three points on one win and one loss, were slated to contest the No. 2 in Group A Thursday night.
On Friday, Thailand and Colombia, both with three points, battle it out for Group B No. 2. On Saturday, it’s the turn of Japan and Tanzania in Group C, then Iran and Italy in Group D.
The quarterfinal stage is set Monday and Tuesday, with the victors moving forward to the semifinals on Dec. 5. (PSC Media)
