Colombia clinched Group B’s remaining ticket to the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup quarterfinals with a 4-1 dispatching of Thailand Friday night at the PhilSports Arena.
Skipper Merlin Salcedo fired a brace (eighth and 23rd minutes) sandwiching the goals of Diana Celis (fourth) and Danna Rodriguez (35th) to power the Colombians past the Thais in the duel for No. 2 in the bracket and the right to face Group A ruler Argentina in the next round.
Colombia finished group play with six points on two wins and one loss behind group winner Spain, which logged a perfect nine points.
The world No. 2 Spaniards completed a three-game sweep at the expense of Canada, 7-0, ahead of their Last-8 faceoff with Group A runnerup Morocco.
Thailand, the last Southeast Asian side in action following the exit of winless host Philippines in Group A last Thursday, wound up No. 3 in Group B with three points on one win and two losses and missed the quarters.
Fourth-placed Canada bowed out without a win to show in the 16-nation tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation.
Only two more seats to the knockout stages are up for grabs.
Japan and Tanzania are disputing the No. 2 position in Group C while Iran and Italy are mixing it up for the second slot in Group D.
Portugal and world No. 1 Brazil had already put a lock on top seeding in Group C and D, respectively, after hurdling their first two group assignments.