BIÑAN, Laguna – The Philippine women’s football team was dealt with a
heartbreaking 2-0 defeat by Vietnam in the 30th Southeast Asian Games women’s
football semifinals at the Biñan Football Stadium.
Thai Thi Tao and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung came up with a conversion each in the
second half for Vietnam on Thursday night, which has set up a championship
encounter with Thailand on Sunday.
Facing one of the best women’s football teams in the Southeast Asia, the
Malditas was able to keep in step with the Vietnamese in the opening half as
they ended the first 45 minutes with 0-0 count.
Vietnam, however, will not be denied in the second half with midfielder Thai opening the scoring when she send the ball past the defense of Malditas’ goal keeper Inna Palacios.
The Malditas became aggressive after that Thai conversion with clear shots on the goal before Eva Madarag converting past the defense of Vietnam but the referee ruled it as an offside.
Vietnam then sealed the semifinals victory against the gutsy Malditas with six minutes from fulltime when Nguyen doubled their advantage.
The Malditas will try to bounce back from such a devastating defeat against Myanmar on Sunday afternoon./PN
