Stallion Laguna is off to a strong start in their campaign in the preliminary stage of the 2025-2026 AFC Women’s Champions League.
The reigning PFF Women’s Cup champions cruised past Mongolia’s Khovd Western FC, 6-1, on Monday night, August 25, at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.
Skipper Chandler McDaniel set the tone in the seventh minute when she scored directly from a free-kick en route to a hat-trick, while Mia Bookhard and Isabella Villaflor also found the back of the net.
Stallion share the lead in Group A with Myanmar’s ISPE, though the home club are ahead on goal difference after a 9-0 blasting of Bank of Guam Strykers FC.
“Really proud of Stallion tonight. We came out, and we had a strong start, and we showed that we’re here to compete,” said McDaniel after their huge result.
McDaniel bagged a brace after just 11 minutes when she converted from the spot, with Bookhard winning the penalty after being brought down Ulziibayar Badamkhathan.
Bookhard made it 3-0 in the 21st minute, then claimed a brace of her own when she pounced on the rebound after Malia Cerdon’s initial attempt was blocked by the Khovd Western goalkeeper.
Villaflor got her goal in the 59th minute, converting off a McDaniel corner, though the Mongolians pulled one back in the 78th through Lee Nari.
But McDaniel would not be denied, completing her hat-trick a few minutes before full-time by taking advantage of a poor clearance by the Khovd Western defense.
Stallion will return to action on Thursday, August 28, against Strykers.
“Of course, there’s always room to improve, so just looking forward to building on this game and just showing up for the next few games and showing them what we’re worth, and to get two more wins and to make it out of this group stage,” said McDaniel.
Meanwhile, Filipinas skipper Hali Long got the start for the BGC–College of Asian Scholars in their 2-0 win against Al Nassr.
Long is on loan to the reigning Thai Women’s League champions for the preliminary stage of the tournament.
The group winners are assured of places in the group stage of the Champions League. (ABS-CBN News)