Philippine football fans were treated to one of the sport’s most unforgettable weeks as both the women’s and men’s national teams delivered milestone victories in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. The Filipinas kept their semifinal hopes alive with a dramatic 1-0 win over Vietnam, while the men's squad broke a decades-long barrier by advancing to the SEA Games semifinals for the first time since 1991.
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Filipinas Seize a Last-Minute Lifeline
In Thailand’s Chonburi Stadium, the Filipinas battled defending champions Vietnam in a tense match that remained scoreless deep into added time. The breakthrough came four minutes into stoppage time when Mallie Ramirez pounced on a rebound to secure the victory.
The buildup began after a foul on Megan Murray near midfield, allowing Olivia McDaniel to send a deep ball into the attacking half. Captain Hali Long’s header set up Alessandrea Carpio for an initial strike that Vietnam’s Tran Thi Kim Thanh managed to deflect, but Ramirez cleaned it up.
“My heart is still going very quickly. But I'm very proud of all the girls,” coach Mark Torcaso shared after the win. “It's very exciting for us to get a good result tonight.”
Ramirez, who also scored in their earlier match against Myanmar, said the moment meant everything to her and the squad.
“Obviously I feel very proud and excited to be able to do this for my team, for my country most of all,” she said. “I saw that I needed to go into that space in the front post… Just being in that right moment, right time, and being able to capitalize on that.”
The victory places the Philippines in second place in Group B, still needing a win over Malaysia on December 11 to stay in the semifinal race. Torcaso emphasized that the focus remains sharp. “We just want to focus on what we need to do, and we know that we need to win the next game… We're gonna go out there and be aggressive,” he said.
Men’s Team Ends a 33-Year Drought
Just hours earlier, the men’s team made history at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, clinching a 1-0 win over Indonesia to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 1991. Otu Banatao struck before halftime, securing their second straight win after a 2-0 victory over Myanmar, and completing a sweep of Group C.
This achievement marks a remarkable turnaround for a squad that failed to win a single match in the 2023 SEA Games, including a heavy 0-3 defeat to Indonesia. The latest win not only avenges that loss but also makes the Philippines the first team to secure a semifinal berth this year.
With a week-long break ahead, the Nationals now prepare for a December 15 showdown that could send them to the gold-medal match, something no Philippine men’s team has achieved.
A Rising Football Nation
These twin victories provide a boost to a sport often overshadowed by basketball and volleyball in the Philippines. For many Filipinos, this momentum builds pride and renews interest in football development, signaling the potential for stronger youth programs, broader grassroots involvement, and a more competitive football culture nationwide.
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