By Gil Moriones
MANILA -- A night before the formal opening ceremony of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine football teams created another significance in their respective campaign to podium finish after their respective narrow victories against Indonesia and Vietnam, respectively, Monday night.
| Otu Banatao scored an only goal vs. Indonesia. PMNFT U22 qualifies to semifinals. PFF |
PMNFT U-22 breaks 34-year semis drought after upset vs. Indonesia
After 34 years of frustration, the under-22 squad of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team qualified for the Final Four of the Southeast Asian Games men’s football after beating defending champions Indonesia in a decisive 1–0 win at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
It was Otu Banatao who broke the deadlock after a lucky bounce from a long throw, which he was able to head home at the 45+1 minute before heading to the dugout to end the first half of this must-win game for the Nationals.
Nicholas Guimaraes made several defensive stops, including a solid attempt from Muhammad Ferraris.
The Nationals not only recorded two clean sheets but also perfected their Group C campaign, collecting two straight wins after their first-time victory over Myanmar last Friday.
They will face the winners of Group A or B — either Thailand or Malaysia — depending on the results on December 15.
The last semifinal run for the Philippines was back in the 1991 Manila SEA Games, where they failed to beat Singapore. Football legends like Marlon Maro, Norman Fegidero, and Rudy Del Rosario were part of that roster.
| Mary Louise Ramirez scored the winning goal vs. Vietnam. POC Media Pool |
Ramirez's late goal vs. Vietnam puts Filipinas within reach of semis
After dealing with their disappointing opener against Myanmar, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team were able to return to contention for a podium finish after their shocking 1–0 win against defending champions Vietnam at Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand.
Both teams were unable to find the net for the entire 90 minutes until the added minute approaching the end of regulation.
Olivia McDaniel’s free kick found the run of Hali Long, who headed the ball to Alessandrea Carpio. Her initial effort was saved by Tran Thi Kim but was rebounded and kicked home by Mary Louise Ramirez at the 90+3 minute mark to give the Philippines the lead.
Ramirez now has two goals, including her score in their loss against Myanmar.
The 2021 SEA Games bronze medalists will need to win big against Malaysia on December 11 to secure a semifinal spot in the SEA Games women’s football.
Currently, the Filipinas are in second place in Group B, despite sharing one win and one loss with Vietnam, due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.
