The road towards a 2017 SEA Games podium finish just got tougher for the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, as they lost 0-3 to Vietnam at the University of Malaya Arena Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Hopes were high for the PWNT after their 2-1 victory against hosts Malaysia. This game proved to be a different test altogether. Up against a country ranked 32nd in the world, the Philippines did well to earn a goalless draw at the half, with Vietnam dominating the period.
However, such was Vietnam’s dominance that a goal felt inevitable. In the 64th minute, the Vietnamese finally broke through, as defender Huynh Nhu bamboozled the Filipina defense to score the first goal.
Down 0-1, the Filipinas were walking on eggshells, as Vietnam constantly probed to add to their tally. Midfielder Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung capitalized on a through ball and calmly shot past Philippines goalie Inna Palacios to double Vietnam’s lead after 84 minutes.
The game was already won by Vietnam, and they put salt on the Philippines’ wounds in stoppage time as Nguyen Thi Muon capitalized on the Filipinas’ failure to clear their lines. Ultimately the Philippines folded 0-3 against a tough Vietnam squad.
As of this writing, Vietnam’s victory leaves the Philippines in third place in the standings with three points. Up next for the PWNT shall be Myanmar on August 22, 4:00PM at the UM Arena Stadium. Afterwards, the Filipinas finish their campaign against Thailand on August 24, 4:00PM at the Universiti Teknologi MARA Stadium in Shah Alam.
Philippines XI: Palacios, Bernal, Tomanon, Long, Impelido, Dolino, Castañeda A, Navaja, Inquig, Castañeda S, Rodriguez.
Vietnam XI: Trinh, Xuyen, Kieu, Thu Nhu, Nhung, Dung, Trang, Muon. Van, Huynh Nhu, An
