Ariana Enderes leads young Filipinas’ 5–0 statement win over Syria to launch AFC U-17 campaign

The future of Philippine women’s football looks bright — and Ariana Enderes is lighting the way.

Enderes struck twice in a dazzling first-half display as the Philippine Girls Under-17 National Team kicked off its 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers with a statement-making 5–0 rout of Syria on Monday at the Pamir Stadium in Tajikistan.

Representing the new generation of Filipina footballers, Enderes — a product of the Virginia Development Academy in the U.S. Elite Clubs National League — wasted no time announcing her arrival on the continental stage. 

She broke the ice just four minutes in, calmly slotting home from close range after Chiara Mizzo sliced through Syria’s backline with a precise cross. 

Then, just before halftime, Enderes showed her range with a brilliant strike from distance in the 44th minute to double the lead and give the Filipinas full control heading into the break. 

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EARLY SURGE

ICYMI | The Filipinas U17 kicked off their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in style, securing a commanding 5-0 win over Syria at Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.#LabanFilipinas

AFC pic.twitter.com/9OtFufswpV

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) October 14, 2025

From there, the young Filipinas only grew bolder. The second half turned into a showcase of their technical flair and attacking rhythm — a glimpse of a team hungry to make history.

Kaida Mizzo made it 3–0 in the 50th minute with a curling long-range effort that left the Syrian keeper rooted to the spot, before Louraine Evangelista followed suit just two minutes later with another audacious strike from distance.

Sofhia Muros then put the finishing touches on the rout in the 72nd minute, tapping in from close range to complete a commanding five-goal performance.

The dominant win immediately placed the Philippines atop Group A with three points and a +5 goal difference — a dream start in their quest for a spot in the 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup. Syria, meanwhile, fell to the bottom of the table after the lopsided result.

Later in the evening, Malaysia beat Tajikistan in another lopsided 2-0 win, as both teams were scheduled to clash in the other Group A fixture.

The young Filipinas will look to keep their momentum rolling on Thursday when they face the hosts, Tajikistan, at 8:00 PM (PH time). Syria will try to bounce back earlier that day against Malaysia at 5:00 PM.

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