Judy Connolly’s clutch earn Philippines draw vs Uzbekistan

Judy Connolly’s last minute heroics propelled the Philippines to secure a 3-3 draw against the world No. 18 host nation Uzbekistan in the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualification match on Monday, January 13, at the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent. 

Lyudmila Karachik’s goal gave Uzbekistan a 3-2 cushion with just a little over two minutes to play.

But only a few seconds after Karachik's seemingly game-winning goal, Connolly of the Philippines silenced the locals with a solo run that ended in a very swift goal at 38:02 minutes and finished the match with a draw.

Bella Flanigan scored the first goal of the game at 3:52, giving the Philippines a great start.

But at 7:07, Nilufar Kudratova of Uzbekistan tied the score, maintaining an even contest. At 14:23, Guillou scored her third goal of the competition to give the Filipinas the lead again.

In spite of this, the home team rallied, and Karachik's first goal at 22:33 tied the score at 2-2.

Karachik gave Uzbekistan another lead late in the game as time was running out, but Connolly's goal in the last seconds saved a draw for the 59th-ranked Filipinas.

The Philippines' opening victory against Kuwait and this well-earned draw retain them at the top of Group C with four points.

The Filipinas will play their next match at the same venue on Wednesday, January 15, against Turkmenistan, who suffered a crushing 6-1 defeat to Australia the previous Saturday.