The Philippine Women’s National Football Team secured their semifinal ticket at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games after getting the victory against Malaysia on the evening of December 11 at the IPE Chonburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
High Stakes Entering the Final Group Match
The Philippines entered its final Group B match knowing exactly what had to be done.
Previously, in the first game of the PWNFT, they lost against Myanmar with a score of 2-1. Then, in their second game against the defending champions Vietnam, they pulled an upset win to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
With Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines all in contention for the knockout stage, the Philippines needed a win, more specifically by at least three goals, should Vietnam also prevail over Myanmar.
Slow Start Before the Breakthrough for Alexa Pino
The match began with the Filipinas showing intent but unable to break through Malaysia’s disciplined defensive setup.
Early attempts either sailed wide or were smothered by the Malaysian backline, and the Philippines grew increasingly frustrated as the clock ticked toward halftime.
It was only at the end of the opening period that the breakthrough arrived.
After Malaysia’s goalkeeper stopped Meryll Serrano’s initial strike, the rebound fell perfectly for Alexa Pino, who buried the chance in the 45th minute.
Her goal lifted the Filipinas’ spirits and sent them into halftime with a well-deserved lead.
Second Half Surge and Pino’s Statement Performance
The PWNFT returned from the interval with renewed energy and far greater efficiency in the attacking third.
Just eight minutes into the second half, Pino struck again, this time finishing a well-placed ball from Sara Eggesvik to double the advantage.
The Filipinas kept their foot on the gas, and defender Jessika Cowart added the third goal in the 66th minute after staying composed during a crowded scramble in the Malaysian box.
Moments later, Eggesvik was fouled inside the area, and Pino stepped up for the penalty. With a confident stutter-step, she sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and completed her hat-trick in the 69th minute.
Her three-goal performance not only opened the floodgates but also made her the first Filipina to score a SEA Games hat-trick since Sarina Bolden achieved the feat in 2019.
Finishing the Rout in Style
Even with a 4–0 lead, the Filipinas still pushed forward, recognizing that goal difference could decide their fate.
Substitute Ariana Markey, making her senior debut, delivered the fifth goal for the Philippines in the 85th minute, showcasing excellent timing and awareness in front of the goal.
As the match neared its conclusion, veteran midfielder Anicka Castañeda added the final flourish, blasting in a long-range strike deep into stoppage time to seal the win. Her effort officially wrapped up one of the Filipinas’ most dominant performances of the tournament.
FINAL SCORE: MALAYSIA 0 – 6 PHILIPPINES
Historical Semifinals Qualification and Podium Journey Ahead
The emphatic win guaranteed the Philippines second place in Group B, just behind Vietnam.
The achievement also marked a milestone as this is the first time in this millennium that both the men’s and women’s national teams have reached the SEA Games semifinals in the same tournament.
Head coach Mark Torcaso praised his squad’s composure and confidence in the attacking third, emphasizing that their momentum from the previous 1-0 win over Vietnam had carried into this decisive fixture.
“We had momentum from the Vietnam game. I believed if we’re composed and in control in the final third we would score many goals as we did today.”
“I’m very excited for this group of players there’s a lot of very, very talented players for the future of this country,” he added.
Vietnam had won against Myanmar with a score of 2-0 in the other match.
In the end, all three nations finished with six points, but Vietnam and the Philippines advanced due to superior goal difference, with the Filipinas posting a +6 tally that bettered Myanmar’s +2.
With their semifinal ticket secured, the Filipinas now prepare to challenge host nation Thailand at the Chonburi Stadium on Sunday. Vietnam, meanwhile, will take on Indonesia in the other semifinal matchup.
The winner of each tie will move on to the gold-medal match, while the semifinal losers battle for bronze on December 17.
