The Philippine Women’s National Football Team began its campaign in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games with a 1-0 defeat to Myanmar on Wednesday at the Army Stadium in Cambodia.
The Filipinas conceded a penalty late in the match when Sofia Harrison was adjudged to have fouled a Myanmar player in the box.
Myanmar striker Win Theingi Tun stepped up to take the spot-kick, which she converted in the 89th minute.
“I don’t have an opinion,” said coach Alen Stajcic about the penalty. “The referee made a call. That’s her job. It’s simple.”
The result meant that the Filipinas fell to third place in Group A after the first matchday.
Vietnam topped the group with three points on the back of a 3-0 win over Malaysia earlier today, while Myanmar followed suit in second place.
It was an unfortunate sequence of events for the Philippines, which is currently ranked 49th in the world, against the 47th-ranked Myanmar.
Stajcic’s team had several chances to score in the match, but the Filipinas failed to put the ball at the back of the net. The likes of Quinley Quezada and Anicka Castañeda had sniffs at the Myanmar goal, only for them to miss the target.
Forward Chandler McDaniel, who scored three times in two matches during the Filipinas’ recent Olympic qualifiers, was brought on for Carleigh Frilles, but she did not provide the breakthrough needed.
Both teams will return to action this Saturday at the same venue. Myanmar will face Vietnam at 5:00 p.m., while the Philippines will face Malaysia at 8:00 p.m.
Philippines XI: McDaniel (GK), Long ©, Bolden, Bonta, Castaneda, Eggesvik, Frilles, Harrison, Barker, Quezada.
Myanmar XI: Myo Mya Mya Nyein (GK), Khin Marlar Tun ©, Moe Ma Ma Soe, Zune Ya Ya Oo, Phyu Phyu Win, Naw Htet Htet Wai, Win Theingi Tun, San Thaw Thaw, Khin Mo Mo Tun, July Kyaw, May Thet Mon Myint.
