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

The Philippines will play in the 2025 AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup later this year in China, after earning qualification on Sunday night.

The Filipinas dropped their final game in Group C to Australia, 2-1, at the Yunusobod Sport Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

That gave them a total of seven points from four games, with two wins, a draw, and a loss. Australia topped the group with a perfect 4-0 record for 12 points.

Uzbekistan routed Turkmenistan, 6-2, in the final group round game later in the night, relegating the Philippines to third place in the group by virtue of superior goal difference.

Still, the Filipinas made it through by being the best third-placed team. 

READ: PH nears qualification to AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup

Daisy Arrowsmith put Australia ahead in the seventh minute, but the Filipinas got a lifeline with less than a minute left in the opening half thanks to an own goal by Halle Smit.

Unfortunately for the Philippines, Jessica Au scored quickly after the restart to put Australia back in control -- a lead they maintained until the final whistle.

Uzbekistan's massive win against Turkmenistan assured them of second place in the group despite having the same number of points as the Philippines. The hosts had a plus-7 goal difference, compared to the Filipinas' plus-4.

The top three teams from Group C all qualified, with the Philippines and Australia set for their debut appearances in the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup.

China will host the tournament in May. It will also serve as a qualifier to the inaugural 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup that will be hosted by the Philippines later in 2025.