The Philippine Women’s National Football Team experienced a setback in its quest to seal a semifinals ticket in the 31st SEA Games after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of host nation Vietnam, Wednesday evening, at the Cam Pha Stadium.
This was the Filipinas’ first defeat in the competition and it came at the hands of their fellow 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup entrant.
Coach Alen Stajcic’s team got the lead in the 14th minute through a header from its skipper Tahnai Annis.
However, the home side was able to nail a leveler just before the halftime break. Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung struck past Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel in the 38th minute while Trần Thị Thùy Trang scored the winning goal in the 50th minute.
The result means that the Filipinas, who have three points in Group A, will have to await the result of the Cambodia-Vietnam game on Saturday to see if they are able to book a place in the final four.
Cambodia needs a win to overcome the Philippines’ superior goal difference of plus-3 to reach the semi-finals.
Philippines XI: Cesar, Randle, Sawicki, Long, Annis, Bolden, Bugay, Castaneda, Frilles, Harrison, McDaniel (GK).
