The Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team ended their 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship in heartbreaking fashion, conceding a late goal to fall 2-1 to Indonesia on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Nisma Francida Rusdiana scored the decisive goal in the 39th minute, breaking the hearts of the Pinay5 and their supporters, and denying the host nation a chance to play for the bronze medal on Thursday.
Philippines skipper Isabella Bandoja leveled the score in the 11th minute, her second goal of the tournament, to cancel out Alya Ananda Hendrita’s seventh-minute opener.
However, Bandoja’s strike wasn’t enough to turn the tide for Coach Vic Hermans’ squad.
“I must say that I’m totally very proud of the progression,” Hermans said after the match, reflecting on the team’s campaign. “I can see who’s in the team and who’s not in the team. I won’t say who since that’s my decision later on. And we grow and this we will see.”
As a result, Indonesia and Myanmar will face off for the bronze medal.
Both Myanmar and the Philippines finished with one point, but Myanmar advanced due to its better goal difference of -11, compared to the Philippines’ -13.
