The Philippine Women’s National Football Team achieved a historic milestone on the evening of December 17 after winning the gold medal by defeating Vietnam in the final of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at Chonburi Stadium in Thailand.
A Gold Medal Match Defined by Fine Margins and Resilience
The gold medal match itself was a battle of patience, discipline, and resolve.
Vietnam appeared to take the lead in the 29th minute when Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy headed home a cross, but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside, despite replays suggesting otherwise.
From there, clear chances were scarce.
Vietnam pressed with urgency as they chased a fifth straight SEA Games title, while the Filipinas absorbed pressure and struck selectively on the counter. Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was called into action late in regulation, producing a crucial save that preserved the deadlock.
The Philippines nearly stole the match in extra time when Alexa Pino found Jael Guy unmarked near the back post, but the header drifted wide.
Injuries to veteran defenders Jessika Cowart and Sofia Wunsch forced adjustments at the back, yet the Filipinas held firm through the final whistle, pushing the contest to penalties for the second straight match.
Penalty Shootout Seals Unprecedented Triumph
Both teams were flawless through the opening five rounds of penalties, with Jael-Marie Guy, Alexa Pino, team captain Hali Long, Angie Beard, and Ari Markey converting calmly for the Philippines.
Vietnam answered each kick, forcing the shootout into sudden death and heightening the tension with every step to the spot. Veteran midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki stepped up for the sixth attempt and buried her shot into the top left corner, placing the pressure squarely on Vietnam.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel then delivered the defining moment, getting her hands on Trần Thị Thu’s attempt to secure the gold and ignite wild celebrations on the pitch.
After 120 tense, scoreless minutes, the Filipinas outlasted four-time defending champion Vietnam in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to capture the country’s first-ever SEA Games gold medal in football.
FINAL SCORE: PHILIPPINES 6 – 5 VIETNAM
The victory ended decades of dominance by Vietnam and Thailand and marked a defining moment in Philippine football history.
Discover a fun Daily Fantasy game where you can build your own football lineup: your players’ real-game stats become your points! Enter promo code “REBANSE” to get 10 coins and start your first match. ⚽ (PLAY NOW)
Olivia McDaniel Delivers Again on the Biggest Stage
McDaniel’s final save capped another iconic performance, further cementing her reputation as one of the most clutch players in Philippine football history.
The keeper, who had already played a major role in earlier penalty shootouts during the tournament, once again rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
“Same,” said McDaniel, when asked what is the most memorable among the two efforts.
She admitted that facing another shootout in the final was mentally taxing, but the squad’s unity carried them through the pressure-filled moments.
“Honestly, I didn’t want to do it [a penalty shootout] again,” said McDaniel.
“But I knew we all had a part to play, and we knew at the end of the day, the job needed to be done, and so we just rallied behind each other.”
Her heroics echoed her standout performance in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup win over New Zealand, reinforcing her status as a cornerstone of the Filipinas’ rise on the international stage.
HERstory: From Early Setback to a Golden Finish
The Filipinas’ journey to the top of the podium was anything but straightforward.
Their campaign opened with a 2–1 loss to Myanmar, placing them in a must-win situation early in the group stage.
Facing Vietnam next, the Filipinas stunned the defending champions with a dramatic 1–0 victory, courtesy of an injury-time goal from Mallie Ramirez that kept their tournament hopes alive.
A dominant 6–0 rout of Malaysia followed, sending the Philippines into the semifinals, where they faced host nation Thailand.
After another exhausting 120-minute battle, the Filipinas prevailed on penalties, 4–2, booking their first-ever berth in a SEA Games gold medal match.
Despite the physical and emotional toll of back-to-back extra-time matches, the Filipinas maintained their composure against Vietnam in the final, leaning on their experience and belief to push through one last test.
Impact of the Victory for Philippine Football
Beyond the medal itself, the triumph carried deep symbolic weight.
It marked the Philippines’ first SEA Games football gold after 40 years of participation and made the country only the third nation to win the women’s title, long monopolized by Vietnam and Thailand.
“We never want to end on a loss,” said skipper Hali Long, who celebrated her 101st international cap with the gold medal.
“We were going to win bronze, or we were going to win gold. We gave ourselves no choice.”
The victory also served as a golden farewell for veteran goalkeeper Inna Palacios, who announced her retirement from international football before the final. For the Filipinas, the SEA Games crown now stands alongside their 2022 AFF Women’s Championship title and their historic FIFA Women’s World Cup breakthrough as proof of their steady ascent.
As attention shifts toward the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and future World Cup ambitions, the Filipinas’ latest achievement sends a clear message: the Philippines is no longer chasing history; they are already making it.
