The Philippine Women’s Under-19 National Team faced a challenging start to their campaign in the 2023 AFF U-19 Women’s Championship.
The Filipinas’ first match took place on Thursday against Thailand at the Jakabaring Athletic Field in Palembang, Indonesia, and unfortunately, it resulted in a devastating 6-0 loss.
Under the guidance of Coach Joyce Landagan, the Philippine team entered the game with high hopes.
However, within the first half, they conceded two goals in quick succession, leaving them in a difficult position.
Thailand’s Kantisa Inchamnan broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, followed by Natcha Kaewanta doubling their advantage in the 19th minute.
The second half brought no respite for the Philippine team.
In the 75th minute, Jeena Thongpan successfully converted a penalty, virtually securing the win for Thailand.
The Philippines’ defense struggled to contain their opponents, allowing three more goals in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Thailand’s Anaphon Amanpong scored their fourth goal in the 82nd minute, followed by Thanchanok Jansri adding the fifth in the 83rd minute.
Rinyaphat Mondong then sealed the rout with another penalty in the 84th minute, completing Thailand’s dominant performance.
Despite this disappointing start, the Philippine team remains determined to bounce back and make a mark in the tournament.
Their next match is scheduled for Saturday against Myanmar, with kickoff at 8:30 p.m.
This upcoming game provides them with an opportunity to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and showcase their true potential on the field.
