Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers: Late Connolly goal gives PH a point vs. Uzbekistan

The Philippine national women's futsal team. Handout/PFF

Judy Connolly found the back of the net late as the Philippines battled to a 3-3 draw against host Uzbekistan in the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers, Monday night.

In a thrilling finish at the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent, Lyudmila Karachik gave Uzbekistan a 3-2 advantage with just a little over two minutes to play.

The Filipinas were quick to respond, however, as merely seconds later Connolly converted off a pass by Katrina Guillou to knot the count once more.

With the stalemate, the Philippines now has four points in Group C from one win and one draw. They had opened their campaign by routing Kuwait, 4-1, on Saturday.

READ: Filipinas open Women's Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers by beating Kuwait

The Philippines had taken an early lead off Bella Flanigan, only for Nilufar Kudratova to beat goal-keeper Samantha Hughes for the equalizer.

Flanigan then played Guillou through for the Philippines' second goal in the 15th minute, but Karachik tied the game again just a few minutes into the second half.

Hughes made a handful of fine saves to keep Uzbekistan out of the net, setting up the back-and-forth finish.

The Philippines will return to action on Wednesday against Turkmenistan, which is coming off a 6-1 loss to Australia in their first game.

The Filipinas' participation in the qualifiers is part of the team's preparations for the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, which the Philippines will host later this year. 

A total of 18 teams -- divided into four groups -- are taking part in the qualifiers. The top two teams in each group, as well as the best third-placed teams, will advance to the 2025 AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup scheduled for May 7-18 in China.