The Philippine Women’s National Football Team suffered its first defeat in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship in a narrow 1-0 outcome at the hands of the Thailand War Elephants, Tuesday evening at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The result sees Thailand top Group A with 13 points behind four wins and a draw. On the other hand, this was the Philippines’ maiden loss and it finishes in 2nd place with 12 points on the back of four wins.
“Every team has many problems, same with us,” said Thai coach Miyo Okamoto via a translator. “One by one, the team has cultivated the skill to problem solve every problem we have. Today, we were able to show that in the game.”
The War Elephants found a breakthrough in the 75th minute of the contest after a goalless first half.
Thai forward Kanyanat Chettabutr headed the ball past Filipino goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel after defenders Dominique Randle and Sofia Harrison failed to clear midfielder Ploychompoo Somnuek’s ball inside the box.
Coach Alen Stajcic’s wards then tried to find a leveler but the Thais defended too well and ultimately secured the victory.
“It was a tough game,” said Stajcic. “Both teams could have won the game. Unfortunately, one error cost us the game tonight. We had enough chances to win the game. They had 2-3 chances, we had 4-5 chances, probably had a few more than them and we didn’t put them away.”
“We got punished by one error and that’s what happens in international football against big teams.”
The Filipinas and the War Elephants will return to action in the semifinals this Friday against their Group B counterparts Vietnam and Myanmar. The final schedule for the semifinals will be determined tomorrow after the Vietnam-Myanmar clash.
Thailand XI: Thomongkol (GK), Saenkhun, Philawan, Sonuek, Panyosuk ©, Rodthong, Pram-nak, Pengngam, Waenngoen, Chettabutr, Aupachai.
Philippines XI: McDaniel (GK), Randle, Sawicki, Long, Miclat, Frilles, Madarang, Quezada, Guillou, Eggesvik, Cowart.
—
Catch the entire 2022 AFF Women’s Championship live on SMART Sports and Puso Pilipinas from July 4-18.
