By: Gil Moriones
MANILA -- The Philippine Women’s National Football Team erased all doubts and exceeded expectations as they officially marched to the semifinals of the 2025 SEA Games Women’s Football competition after a big 6–0 win over Malaysia at Chonburi Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The Filipinas knew they needed to score multiple goals without conceding any—until Alexa Pino broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, scoring from a rebound after the Malaysian keeper initially saved Meryll Serrano’s attempt.
The Filipinas ended the first half with a 1–0 lead, with 45 minutes left to secure their semifinals ticket by scoring at least five goals to overtake Myanmar’s four-goal differential.
Again, Pino broke Malaysia’s defensive momentum after the ball landed at her feet from a pass by Sara Eggesvik, finishing her strike in the 53rd minute to tally the Filipinas’ second goal.
There was still no celebration for the Filipinas even after being level with Myanmar in goal differential, as the latter were trailing Vietnam 2–0 at halftime.
In the 66th minute, the Filipinas scored their crucial third goal after Jessica Cowart swung the ball into the roof of the net following a scramble inside Malaysia’s penalty box.
In the 69th minute, the 18-year-old Pino converted a penalty to mark the Filipinas’ fourth goal and complete her first tournament hat trick since debuting for the senior team on February 21, 2024.
The task was completed in the 84th minute when substitute Ariana Markey scored from a headed assist by Eggesvik, triggering celebrations for the Filipinas after netting their fifth goal—enough to overtake Myanmar in the standings.
Anicka Castañeda finally joined the Filipinas’ scoring party after she converted a screamer from outside the Malaysian penalty box in the 90+5 minute to make it 6–0.
The Filipinas’ return to the Final Four of the competition after three years was made possible after completing the task of scoring five goals to surpass Myanmar, along with Vietnam’s 2–0 victory over Myanmar.
With a triple tie in Group B—each team earning two wins and one loss—Vietnam and the Philippines advanced to the semifinals due to superior goal difference. Vietnam finished with an eight-goal differential, while the Philippines surpassed Myanmar’s two-goal differential. Myanmar had earlier beaten the Filipinas in their opener, 2–1.
The 2021 bronze medalists finished with a six-goal differential, while Myanmar were left with only two after their defeat to Vietnam.
The Filipinas will face host Thailand, while group winners Vietnam will face Indonesia, both on Sunday, December 14, with chances for podium finishes—either the gold medal match or the bronze medal match—set for Wednesday, December 17.
