PH Women’s Futsal Team Shows Heart in ASEAN Debut

The Philippine women’s national futsal team capped its campaign in the inaugural ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship with a narrow 2-1 loss to Indonesia, ending the tournament on a spirited note at the Philsports Arena on Wednesday.

Despite falling short of a bronze medal match, the Pinay 5 showcased grit and progress in their first ASEAN-level competition in 13 years, facing higher-ranked teams and marking significant strides for a team only two years into its revival.

“This is not the end of our futsal campaign, but the beginning of futsal fever in the Philippines,” said Philippine Football Federation President John Anthony Gutierrez.

Indonesia’s game-winner came with just 1:11 left, when Novita Murni Piranti’s kick-in found Nisma Francida Rusiana for a nutmeg goal that dashed the Philippines’ hopes of securing a spot in the battle for third.

The Pinay 5, ranked 59th globally, needed at least a draw to advance.

Captain Isabella Bandoja earlier equalized in the first half, dribbling past Indonesian goalkeeper Dhea Bangun for a well-angled strike in the 8:52 mark, responding to Alya Ananda Hendrita’s lob for Indonesia in the seventh minute.

Fifteen-year-old Louiraine Evangelista dazzled with her dribbling skills throughout the match, while 16-year-old substitute keeper Isabella Hughes made crucial saves after replacing injured starter Mykaella Abeto in the 24th minute.

Lanie Ortillo and Jada Bicierro had multiple attempts from the flanks but were denied by Indonesian goalkeeper Sella Agustin and a staunch defense led by Novita and Way Jein Fambres.

Bicierro had a final shot on target with 1:25 left, but Agustin’s save sealed Indonesia’s victory.

“We are lucky to win this match. The Philippines is good,” said Indonesian coach Arif Kurniawan.

Head coach Vic Hermans praised his team’s improvement, citing the 2023 Tri-Nations Cup where they conceded 14 goals in two matches against Indonesia.

“The whole week, this is a development,” Hermans said.

He also commended Evangelista, calling her a “rough diamond” with a bright future in the team.

Looking ahead, Hermans revealed plans for the team to compete in the 2025 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification in Uzbekistan in January and hinted at potential friendlies in Europe.

“The future of futsal is pressing high-press. And that is where I want to go with this team,” he said, emphasizing the need for rigorous training.

Gutierrez lauded the team’s ASEAN debut as a sign of the sport’s growth in the country.

“On the Philippines’ first ASEAN-level competition in 13 years in women’s futsal, we can proudly say that we can keep up with the world’s best,” he said.

As the Philippines prepares to host the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, the Pinay 5’s performance serves as a foundation for future success.

“We thank everyone for their support. These players never gave up, and that’s what we need,” Hermans concluded. (PFF)