PHL ousts Vietnam to win first-ever SEA Games women’s football gold

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Out of all the firsts, this was the sweetest.

Filipinas, you are the queens of the SEA Games’ women’s football!

For the first time in the Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team finally captured the elusive gold medal, dethroning powerhouse Vietnam during a penalty shootout, 6–5, on Dec. 17, 2025, at Chonburi Daikin Stadium in Thailand.

One hundred twenty minutes weren’t enough to separate two title-contending nations.

After a dramatic regulation, the Philippines and Vietnam had to settle the score in a classic shootout filled with tension and nerves, with the gold medal at stake.

With the shootout deadlocked at 5-all, PHL star goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel sealed the Filipinas’ fate with the gold-sealing save, denying Tran Thi Thu’s final penalty attempt for Vietnam.

Before the stalemate was broken, Vietnam kicked off its title defense on a high note after executing its signature high-octane attack.

A frantic moment came in the 30th minute of the first half, when an initial goal by Vietnam was ruled offside by the linesman.

Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy put the whole Vietnam crowd on its feet after cruising past McDaniel with a precise header, but the final judgment of the match officials nullified the goal, putting the gold medal match back into a scoreless affair.

Since that biggest what-if moment for Vietnam, the match progressed as a defensive battle, with both teams failing to get on the board despite added time.

For all the marbles, the Filipinas’ legacy-defining moment came in the shootout, where they all cashed in on their attempts from the penalty area.

Scoring the much-needed goals for Team PHL were Jael-Marie Guy, Alexa Pino, Hali Long, Angie Beard, Ari Markey, and Jaclyn Sawicki, who delivered the fatal blow to the Vietnamese squad.

HERSTORY HAS BEEN MADE.

After consecutive heartbreaks in the SEA Games, you’ve done it, Filipinas!