The Philippine Women’s National Football Team advances to the finals of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games for the first time in history after beating the host nation Thailand on the evening of December 14 at Chonburi Daikin Stadium in Thailand.
Thailand Strike First After the Break
The opening half passed without a breakthrough, with both sides probing cautiously as the pressure of a semifinal encounter loomed large.
Thailand finally found the opening goal eight minutes into the second half when Mongkoldee Jiraporn punished a defensive lapse and fired past goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel to give the hosts a 1–0 advantage in the 53rd minute.
Photo Credits: Philippine Football Federation/One Sports
The goal threatened to derail the Filipinas’ historic run, especially with time steadily ticking away and Thailand appearing increasingly comfortable protecting their lead.
Late Penalty Sparks a Comeback
Refusing to fold, the Filipinas pushed forward in search of a lifeline.
Their persistence was rewarded late in regulation when the referee whistled for a handball inside the Thai penalty area.
Photo Credits: Philippine Football Federation/Philippine Women’s National Football Team
In the 87th minute, Jael Marie Guy, who had entered the match as a substitute earlier in the second half, calmly stepped up and converted from the spot, sending the match into extra time at 1–1 and reigniting Philippine hopes.
Extra Time Brings Tension, Not Goals
Despite several promising moments, particularly from the Philippines, neither team could find the decisive strike during the additional 30 minutes.
Photo Credits: Philippine Football Federation/One Sports
As exhaustion set in, the semifinal was ultimately decided from the penalty mark, with a place in the gold medal match hanging in the balance.
Perfect Penalties Break Thai Hearts
The shootout showcased the Filipinas’ composure under pressure.
Guy, Alessandrea Carpio, Sara Eggesvik, and team captain Hali Long all converted their penalties, giving the Philippines a flawless four-for-four showing.
Thailand managed to keep pace early through Jiraporn and Taneekarn Dangda, but momentum swung decisively after Pluemjai Sontisawat saw her attempt crash against the post. With Long squeezing her penalty past the Thai keeper to make it 4–2, the door was left open for the Philippines to seal the result.
Photo Credits: Philippine Football Federation/Philippine Women’s National Football Team
Moments later, Orapin Waenngoen sent her effort sailing over the crossbar, officially confirming the Filipinas’ historic passage to the final.
FINA SCORE: PHILIPPINES 1(4) – THAILAND 1(1)
HERstory made in Chonburi
The PWNFT carved their names in the “HERstory books” as they play on Wednesday, December 18, for their first ever gold medal match in SEA Games history.
Locked in a tense contest that remained unresolved after 120 minutes, the Filipinas held their nerve in the penalty shootout, emerging victorious, and silencing a partisan home crowd as Filipino players and supporters erupted in celebration.
Emotion, Belief, and Vindication
As the team flooded the pitch to celebrate with McDaniel, head coach Mark Torcaso reflected on the journey that led to the breakthrough moment.
“There’s been a lot of doubt for some of our players and what they’ve been able to prove in the last couple of months and they’ve got themselves into a gold medal match and I couldn’t be prouder,” he said.
“They haven’t stopped fighting this whole competition. Even after a loss in the first game, we were absolutely determined to make sure we made the gold medal match after that loss against Myanmar and we’re here now and as I said, it’s very emotional,” Torcaso added.
Later, he emphasized the significance of the achievement for the players and supporters alike.
“It’s very emotional because I know how tough the media can be on us and the players,” Torcaso said.
“This is for all the fans at home in the Philippines, and for Filipinos around the world. I’m very happy, emotional, and excited that we made it to the gold medal match for these girls.”
A Milestone Night for the Captain Hali Long
For Hali Long, the victory carried extra meaning as it marked her 100th international appearance for the Philippines.
After calmly converting her penalty, the skipper shared her satisfaction.
“Am I satisfied? Yes, because we’ve reached our goal of going to the final. Our goal was to win our final game, and we plan to do that,” Long said.
“I’m at least at a 100 now. It’s an unreal feeling that I’ve come this far and watching this team grow, develop, change, shift, is something I wouldn’t trade for the world,” she added.
Best-Ever SEA Games Finish Secured
By reaching the final, the Filipinas have already guaranteed their best-ever finish in SEA Games women’s football, surpassing previous bronze-medal outcomes in 1985 and 2019.
The run continues a remarkable rise that includes their landmark victory over New Zealand at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and a breakthrough regional title at home the year before.
Gold Medal Clash Awaits
Standing between the Philippines and the gold medal is defending champion Vietnam, which secured its own finals berth with a commanding 5–0 win over Indonesia in the other semifinal.
The upcoming showdown also carries added intrigue, as the Filipinas previously stunned Vietnam, 1–0, during group play through a late winner by Mallie Ramirez.
Photo Credits: Philippine Football Federation/One Sports
The gold medal match is set on December 18 at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium, where the Filipinas will aim to complete the most successful SEA Games campaign in the history of Philippine women’s football.
