Jaclyn Sawicki seizes the moment in Filipinas’ World Cup-clinching win

By: Icko de Guzman

Jaclyn Sawicki had never been the name you expected on the scoresheet — until the moment everything was on the line.

In a match that demanded heroes, the Filipina midfielder delivered one of the biggest goals of her career. She rose high above the defense to meet Jael Marie Guy’s cross with a looping header that found the back of the net in the 52nd minute.

More known for orchestrating plays than finishing them, Sawicki seized her moment. Her goal, coming just five minutes after Angela Beard’s opener, powered the Philippines to a commanding 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the playoff — and secured back-to-back appearances in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

For Sawicki, it was instinct meeting opportunity.

“I obviously don’t score a lot of goals. My job is to create goal-scoring opportunities for our forwards,” said Sawicki, who traces her roots to the Cordillera region. “But the moment was there. I saw the space, made the run, and when Jael (Guy) went one-on-one with the defender, I knew she could whip in a great cross.

“I took the chance, trusted the players behind me, and it worked out for us.”

With the Filipinas now heading for their second straight World Cup, Sawicki’s belief in the journey remains as steady as ever.

“At the start of this cycle three years ago, I was asked if I’d push for another World Cup,” she reflected. “My answer was always the same — one day at a time. And now, we’re here.

“It only makes sense to go for one more.”

With reports from Venice Furio/Laban Filipinas

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