PHL Women’s football team suffers first loss in 2022 AFF tournament

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Women’s National Football Team received their first-ever loss in the ongoing 2022 AFF Women’s Championship after falling at the hands of Thailand, 1-0.

After taking down Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia in their first four matches, the Filipinas got a wake-up call from the Thais and prevented them from clinching the top spot in Group A.

The Filipina booters came out with the same energy they displayed during their drubbing 7-0 win against Singapore and quickly had clean looks to draw first blood just 25 minutes into the match.

However, Thailand showed fight and gave PHL the business after countering with their own offensive sets including three clean attempts generated from their precise offense through ball passes.

During the 37th-minute mark, Thailand had another chance to score the first goal of the match after a free-kick was rewarded to them near the penalty box but the Filipinas fortunately deflected the kick and saved them another possession.

PHL answered back with a near goal two minutes before half time but their header attempt was well-defended by Thailand.

The action-packed thriller continued to put the crowd to their feet until the 74th-minute when Thailand found the back of the net for the lone goal of the match.

As the Filipinas were preparing to reset and tap the ball to their goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel inside their penalty box, a miscommunication between Sofia Harrison and Dominique Randle allowed Thailand’s Kanayanat Chetthabutr to sneak between the action and headed the loose ball inside the post.

The Filipinas had one golden opportunity with two minutes remaining in the match after Sarina Bolden found an opening in the middle of the pitch and came close to sending an attempt in the penalty area but the Thai defenders were quick to respond and tackled the ball out of her possession.

Despite the loss, the PHL team is still assured of a semifinal spot and will begin tomorrow, July 15, to be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.