Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 16) – The Philippine women’s football team will face a familiar foe in the semifinals of the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
The Filipinas, who finished as the second seed in Group A, will battle Group B top seed Thailand in their semifinal match scheduled on Wednesday at the Cam Pha Stadium in Quang Ninh town.
Thailand and Myanmar both ended their group stage campaign with seven points, but the Thais clinched top seed honors due to an 8-4 goal difference. Myanmar will tangle with Group A leader and host country Vietnam in the other semifinal pairing.
Vietnam swept its two group stage games for six points, while the Philippines produced three points for a win and a loss.
Back in January, the Filipina booters opened their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign by beating the Thais, 1-0, courtesy of a late goal from Chandler McDaniel in the 81st minute of their match.
It was the Philippines’ first-ever victory against the Southeast Asian powerhouse in the international football scene.
The group stage win against Thailand proved to be pivotal for the Filipinas, who eventually clinched their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup berth after overcoming Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals.
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The Alen Stajcic-coached Philippine side hopes to improve from their fourth place finish in 2019 and score the country’s first medal in women’s football since 1985.
