SEA Games Football: Filipinas crash back down to earth with loss to Vietnam

Cam Pha, Vietnam -- The Philippines Women’s National Football Team was dealt a humbling 2-1 defeat by hosts Vietnam on matchday two in Group A of the 2022 SEA Games being held here in Cam Pha City.

In a battle of two debuting FIFA Women’s World Cup teams, Vietnam showed its footballing pedigree by coming from behind to win against a Philippines team that was outplayed for most parts of the game.

The Filipinas came into the match hoping to end a nine-game winless streak against Vietnam and an aggressive opening 15 minutes from the visitors saw the Philippines take a well-deserved lead through a looping header by captain Tahnai Annis.

After taking the lead, the Filipinas took its foot off the pedal while Vietnam upped their game by several notches to level things up in the 38^th minute.

Some choice words would have been given by Coach Alen Stajcic in the dugout at the half, and for the first few minutes in the second half, the Filipinas started brightly.

However, it would be Vietnam who would once again break through with a goal in the 50^th minute, with Vietnam exposing the Philippines with short and quick passes which moved players into space, leaving the Filipinas defense scrambling.

Fans watching back home in Manila could be forgiven if they expected a strong response from the Philippines, but it was Vietnam who threatened, time and again exposing the Filipinas less than impressive defending on the wings.

Vietnam’s number 7 Thi Tuyet Dung in particular, gave Malea Cesar fits as the Vietnamese beat the fullback with pace and trickery.

Backed by a full house of 15,000 passionate Vietnam fans in a cool but humid night in the beautiful city of Cam Pha, the stadium was a boisterous sea of red as they played their role of the 12^th man to the hilt.

Unfazed by giving up the early goal, the home fans continually willed on their team to their eventual victory and this is something that the Filipinas hope to receive on home soil in July for the AFF competition.

Coach Stajcic admits the important role of the home crowd tonight.

“Maybe we have a little bit of fatigue and getting some nerves playing in front of such a big crowd,” said Stajcic in the post-match interview.

“But I thought at the beginning we were the better team and, in the middle, they were the better team and in the last ten, twenty minutes we were the better team again.”

Hali Long earned her 50^th cap, but she and fellow center back Dom Randle endured a torrid game as they had to cover the fullbacks who were beaten and out of position.

Given the start after coming off the bench against Cambodia, Sarina Bolden looked strong holding up the ball, but was guilty of giving the ball away on occasion.

Carleigh Frilles did not have much impact up front, while by coach’s instructions or otherwise, fans were left wanting for Sofia Harrison’s usual impressive runs on the left side.

17-year-old Chantelle Maniti came on as sub late in the game, and was clearly nervous and will only get better with more experience.

Former Canada U-18 player Jaclyn Sawicki made her official Filipinas senior team debut and she was one of the few bright spots for the team with her composed play and composure on the ball.

Sawicki’s incisive passing and good decision making will now give Stajcic a selection headache as to where he will play Tahnai Annis, whose best position is conceivably not on the left wing.

The good news is, the Filipinas will have a week to prepare and recover for the semi-finals, where they will expect to see equally tough opposition, who would’ve noted the way Vietnam exposed the Philippines.

After beating weaker opposition in training camp for five weeks, Vietnam was always going to be a true test of where the Philippines is currently as a footballing squad after the Asian Cup.

And solely on the basis of this performance, the Filipinas really need to step up a notch if we are to harbor any intentions of meeting the hosts potentially again in the final, never mind doing well in the World Cup in 2023.

The Philippines were given the full Vietnam experience, complete with boos and jeers, but these are the types of defeats that determine and shape one’s character.

And as the players gathered themselves together on the field long after the final whistle, the players will know that while painful, this defeat today in the group stages should serve them in good stead moving forward.

Time for the Filipinas to lick their wounds, address the weaknesses and bounce back stronger.

—JMB, GMA News