Chonburi: The Philippines has accomplished its mission of winning the Southeast Asian Games women’s football gold medal after a stunning 6-5 victory over powerhouse Vietnam in the final on Wednesday night at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium in Thailand.
According to Philippines News Agency, goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel expressed her pride, stating, ‘I’m so proud of this team, so proud to be a Filipino and playing for our country.’ Despite facing doubts about their capabilities, the team proved their mettle by emerging victorious and establishing themselves among the top contenders.
The Philippines became the third country to win the gold medal after eight-time champion Vietnam and five-time winner Thailand. The Pinay booters, who won the bronze in the 2021 edition held in Vietnam, went to Thailand prepared. In 2022, they topped the Asean Championships here, and the following year, they stunned host New Zealand, 1-0, in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The journey to the gold was not without challenges. The Philippines absorbed a 1-2 loss to Myanmar in the opening game of the 33rd SEA Games, but managed to conquer Vietnam, 1-0, and Malaysia, 6-0, to reach the Final Four. The Filipinas fought hard to beat the Thais in the deciding penalty shootout, 4-2, after a 1-1 stalemate over 120 minutes, and earn a final ticket.
The final match against the Vietnamese also went to a shootout, with the Pinay booters again stepping up to the plate, claiming victory with Jaclyn Sawicki’s go-ahead spot kick and McDaniel’s save against Tran Thi Thu. Skipper Hali Long emphasized the team’s determination, stating, ‘We never wanted to end on a loss; we’re going to win gold or we’re going to win bronze. We gave ourselves no choice, so the gold was ours for the taking.’
Long further added, ‘We didn’t lose our first game to lose in the end. We dug out of the hole we put ourselves in, and we fought, and we crawled and we did everything we could in our power to get to the semifinals, to get finals, and put it away. As soon as we went to PKs I knew it was ours.’
