By: Gil Mar Moriones
MANILA — The Philippine Women’s National Football Team historically advanced to the gold-medal match of the women’s football competition in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games after winning in a penalty shootout against host Thailand following a 1–1 draw at the end of regulation at Chonburi Stadium on Sunday night.
Both teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half until Hali Long committed a crucial defensive error. She missed a header clearance, allowing Jiraporn Mongkoldee to easily convert and give the hosts the lead in the 53rd minute, 1–0.
However, a handball was called against a Thai defender, awarding a penalty in favor of the Philippines.
Jael-Marie Guy successfully converted the equalizer, erasing Jiraporn’s goal to tie the match at 1–1 and send it to extra time. Neither team broke the deadlock in the two extra-time periods, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
Guy, Alessandria Carpio, Sara Eggesvik, and Long—celebrating her 100th cap with the Filipinas—converted their penalty kicks.
Olivia McDaniel made crucial saves, stopping the attempt by Plumejai Sontisawat and benefiting from a wide miss by Orapin Waenngoen, triggering celebrations as the Filipinas reached the SEA Games women’s football final for the first time since 1985 in Bangkok.
The Filipinas won the shootout, 4–2.
The Nationals are now assured of either a gold or silver medal, improving on their previous bronze finishes in the 1985 and 2021 SEA Games.
They will face defending champions Vietnam, whom they earlier defeated in their final group-stage match, in the gold-medal match on Tuesday.
