On the evening of November 24, the Filipina5 of the Philippines made history by scoring two goals against Morocco at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, despite losing the match and seeing their chances of advancing in the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup come to an end.
Inday Tolentin and Catherine Graversen Kicks for HERstory
The Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team produced its strongest start of the tournament, electrifying the home crowd at the PhilSports Arena.
Within the first few minutes, the Filipina5 seized control and appeared poised for a breakthrough victory. Dionesa “Inday” Tolentin, famously known for her clutch scoring during her collegiate years, delivered a historic moment by slotting home the nation’s first-ever goal in the competition just four minutes into the match.
Her quick finish rewarded thousands of Filipino supporters, who once again filled the Pasig venue with deafening cheers.
The atmosphere swelled further only minutes later. At the eighth minute, Cathrine Graversen connected on a decisive strike that pushed the Philippine advantage to 2–0.
With momentum clearly on their side and fans roaring in celebration, the hosts looked set to rewrite expectations in Group A. For a brief spell, they overwhelmed the higher-ranked Moroccans through aggressive pressing and swift ball movement.
Even national football star Sarina Bolden, watching from the stands, joined the outpouring of excitement as the dual goal-scoring burst momentarily stunned the opposition.
Tolentin later shared how important the moment was for her and the team, saying:
“I’m very happy, very proud to score the Philippines’ first goal in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup. Just to play in front of our own fans was something else, but to score that goal in front of them, I can’t even express what it means.”
Morocco Strikes Back Before Halftime
But the joy inside the arena proved short-lived. Morocco, needing a win to stay alive in the group, soon recalibrated and gradually reclaimed control.
Their pressure paid off in the 10th minute when a close-range attempt deflected off Katrina Guillou and into the Philippine net. The goal, initially recorded as an own goal before being credited to Nadia Laftah, allowed the visitors back into the contest.
That first breakthrough opened the floodgates. Morocco’s attackers began to find gaps in the Philippine defence, and in the 14th minute, Siiham Tadlaoui fired in the equaliser. The shift in momentum became even more pronounced shortly after when Jasmine Demraoui buried a composed finish in the 17th minute, completing a seven-minute scoring spree that turned a 0–2 deficit into a stunning 3–2 Moroccan lead.
Demraoui described the resilience that fueled their turnaround:
“We were 2-0 down. We knew what we had to do to keep our dream alive, and thankfully, we did it. I’m proud of the team. Now we have a final against Poland. We’ll give it everything.”
The Moroccan comeback marked the first time in the tournament that any team had overturned a two-goal deficit to win, adding another layer of frustration for the Filipina5, who struggled to regain the composure they displayed early on.
Second-Half Adjustments Come Up Short
After regrouping at halftime, the Philippines attempted to restore its attacking rhythm.
Head coach Rafa Merino even made bold tactical changes by rotating goalkeepers Samantha Hughes and Rocelle Mendano in hopes of sparking more aggressive buildup play.
The team relied on long-distance shots and quick counters, but Morocco remained disciplined, shutting down attempts before they could become clear scoring chances.
The Filipina5 thought they had a lifeline midway through the half when they appealed for a penalty following contact involving Demraoui. However, after a video review, the officials determined that the incident did not merit a spot kick. That ruling drained some of the momentum the hosts were trying to rebuild.
Despite a flurry of late attacks, the Philippines could not carve out the equalizer. Their finishing lacked the precision shown during their explosive opening minutes, and as the final seconds ticked away, the home supporters’ earlier cheers began to quiet in resignation.
FINAL SCORE: MOROCCO 3 – 2 PHILIPPINES
With the defeat, the Philippines dropped to 0–2 in Group A and was mathematically eliminated from quarterfinal contention.
The loss also continued a difficult defensive trend, as the Filipina5 carried a -7 goal difference following their 6–0 opening-day defeat to Poland.
Argentina vs. Poland: Group Context Tightens
Earlier in the evening, Argentina earned its second straight win by nipping Poland, 3–2, in a tense encounter that also featured dramatic swings.
The South Americans raced to a commanding 3–0 halftime lead with goals from Silvina Nava, Agostina Chiesa, and Lucia Rossi. But they were forced to protect their advantage after Nava was sent off for a second yellow card before halftime.
Playing with one fewer outfield player, Argentina conceded twice—first to Aga Bala and later to Anna Choras, allowing Poland to close the gap to 3–2.
Argentina remained at the top of Group A with six points, while Poland and Morocco finished the night tied on three points each. The Philippines stayed at the bottom with zero points heading into their final match.
Looking Ahead: One Final Shot for the Filipina5
For the host nation, the match against Morocco was a bittersweet milestone, a historic one because it featured the Philippines’ first-ever goals in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, yet heartbreaking as the team fell short of securing even a draw despite a spirited effort.
The next step for the Filipina5 is a daunting fixture against world No. 6 Argentina, scheduled on Thursday, November 27, at the same venue. The team’s goal now shifts toward salvaging a win for pride and ending their World Cup debut on a positive note.
Morocco, meanwhile, will face Poland in a pivotal meeting that will determine the second quarterfinal qualifier from Group A. With both sides level on points, the winner advances to the knockout stage.
As for the Philippines, Monday night will be remembered as a moment when the nation glimpsed its potential on the world futsal stage, an early surge, two historic goals, and a crowd that remained unwavering, even as fate swung the other way.
