Philippines centre-back Quinley Quezada (right) tries to move past Thailand’s Orapin Waenngoen. —PICTURES OF EMPLOYEES
Another defensive blunder at the back ended up costing the Philippines, and their first defeat in the ASEAN Football Confederation Women’s Championship will most likely lead to a semi-final with an opponent. regional heavyweights.
Filipinas saw the biggest crowd since the competition began but most of the 2,923 fans at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday were disappointed when Kanyanat Chettabuhr’s goal gave Thailand a 1- 0.
The winner went to Kanyanat in the 75th minute when defenders Dom Randle, Sofia Harrison and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel incorrectly predicted a high bounce, making the difference in a difficult situation.
“Unfortunately, one mistake cost us the whole game,” lamented frustrated coach Alen Stajcic.
The loss was even more painful when Thailand took the top of Group A with 13 points while the Philippines won the second place with 12 points.
That could put the Filipinas in a difficult position in Friday’s semi-final against the top team of Group B, which will compete with the defending champion and gold medalist of the Southeast Asian Games Vietnam and the dangerous team. Myanmar danger.
Vietnam and Myanmar will face off on Wednesday at 7pm to determine the winner of Group B. The loser of that bout, which will also take place at the Rizal Memorial, plays against Thailand in the semi-finals.
Unlike the previous match when they got a 4-1 victory over Indonesia despite conceding the opening goal due to a mistake by goalkeeper Inna Palacios, this time Filipinas could not turn the situation around.
And it’s not for lack of trying.
“We had enough chances to win the game,” Stajcic said. “They had two or three chances, we could have had a few more than them and we didn’t put them away and we were punished by a foul and that’s what happens in international football. with good teams.”
The Filipinas needed at least one draw in the match to secure the top spot, but several chances were futile throughout the game. The Philippines have been guaranteed a place in the semi-finals after winning four straight matches.
On the other hand, Thailand’s fate still awaits. And the Thais went in with a sense of urgency befitting their situation
A left-footed shot from Jessika Cowart in the first half was saved by Thailand goalkeeper Chotmanee Thongmongkol while a counter-attack led by Katrina Guillou and a close-range shot from Quinley Quezada in the warm-up returned futile.
There was little chance to salvage the draw, even if Sarina Bolden, the star hat trick against Indonesia and the tournament’s top goalscorer, played less than 10 minutes.
The final whistle sounded, the Philippines left Rizal Memorial with things to ponder for the next two days.
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