A Filipinas masterclass in landmark win over 'best team in Southeast Asia'

The Philippines registered a convincing 4-0 semi-final victory against defending champions Vietnam to book a place in the final of the AFF Women’s Championships 2022 being held in Manila.

After a strong start to the game, a first half goal from Hali Long was just rewards for the Filipinas, who then doubled the lead in the 51st minute with a penalty from captain Tahnai Annis.

Sarina Bolden’s brace sealed the historic victory for the Philippines, who will play in the final for the first time in history.

Here are five things we learned from the impressive Philippines victory.

1) Well-deserved win against Vietnam

Most fans wanted to avoid facing Vietnam in the semi-finals, recognizing them as the best team in Southeast Asia at the moment.

History was not in the Filipinas side either -- the last ten games against Vietnam have resulted in victories for Vietnam – but the Filipinas were undeterred as they started strongly from the onset.

Prior to this game, Vietnam has not conceded a goal all tournament long, and they would show why with some solid defending which would thwart the Filipinas’ forays early on.

But in the 30th minute, Long headed away a Annis corner to give the Filipinas a well-deserved lead and to celebrate her 60th cap for the country in style.

And that lead would double in the 60th minute with Annis earning a handball and coolly dispatching it herself to send the 3,000 strong fans in Rizal Memorial to delirium.

Bolden would complete the Filipinas’ dominance with a well-timed header in the 61st minute before completing the score line with a breakaway goal in the 71st minute.

2) Bolden – scorer of goals and a lot more

 

(Photo: PFF)

 

Sarina Bolden would rightly get the headlines, as she extended her goal tally to a tournament best seven goals thus far.

But the Philippines’ talisman is more than just about scoring goals. Her overall work rate inspires the team and pushes the team forward, while causing defenses a lot of problems with her physicality.

She draws defenders to her, allowing for example Long to make a late run for the opening headed goal off of the corner in the 30th minute.

“To get not one but two goals against a really, really formidable opponent is really great,” says Sarina.

“But again, I couldn't do all that without all my teammates, working their butts off until they dropped to the ground.”

3) Another Alen Stajcic Masterclass

After the narrow loss to Thailand in the last group stage match, there was a lot of flak online for Coach Stajcic on his player selections.

But, as been proven time and again, it is wise not to second-guess Stajcic on his decisions on the football pitch.

The compressed nature of the tournament means that games come in thick and fast, and the player rotations and substitutions that he has employed meant that he will have his best players ready in the business end of the tournament.

Stajcic employed the excellent Jackie Sawicki and Sara Eggesvik in the center of the park, which once again provided the Filipinas with a defensive solidity and calmness.

Annis was deployed on the wings, but was instructed to play narrow to clog the Vietnamese passing lanes.

After the match, Stajcic was full of praise for his team.

“It is probably our most complete performance. I've been watching Philippines’ performance for the last 3-4 years but it's probably the best this team has ever played.”

“It's a great performance, it's a landmark in terms of beating probably the best team in Southeast Asia,” he says.

“I still think they are the best team, but tonight, I think we fully deserve the win.”

4) Team effort in the win.

 

(Photo: PFF)

 

It starts out like a low guttural sound deep in the bowels of Rizal Memorial Stadium, until it builds up to a crescendo culminating with a burst of sound as the girls make their way out of the tunnel.

Part of the Filipinas’ pre-match routine involves high fives, low fives and a whole lot of energy from the players.

And that energy is carried over to the pitch by each and every one on the team, who know what their role is and have executed it perfectly.

Olivia McDaniel was solid when called upon, be it saving shots or providing a passing option for the defender.

Eva Madarang’s strong throw-ins continue to befuddle opponents and Sofia Harrison had another solid outing on the opposite flank as she provided width and crosses from the left side.

The underappreciated Jessica Cowart provided defensive solidity at the heart of the Philippine’s defense and is comfortable bringing the ball out of attack, giving the Filipinas another dimension.

Katrina Guillou, unavailable in the last SEA Games match against Vietnam, took on opposing defenses as she pushed the offense forward, while not being remiss of her defensive duties as she tracked back on many an occasion to help the defense.

Bella Flanigan was more than a match for the Vietnamese physicality.

The much-improved Carleigh Frilles almost scored late in the game with a shot from distance that hit the post.

The team is only as good as its weakest link, and on the night, everyone performed brilliantly.

5) Home crowd play its part

The players and the coaching staff asked for more support as the tournament progressed, and the fans duly answered their call, trooping to the stadium on a Friday pay day to cheer on the Filipinas.

And cheer they did, with the Ultras Filipinas leading the chants of “Pi-Li-Pi-Nas”, which more than drowned out a small megaphone brandishing Vietnamese contingent.

Bolden was full of praise for the support the team is getting.

“It's electric when we're out there,” she says.

“It's hard playing against a home crowd and we definitely know that experience playing in the SEA Games against Vietnam.”

“When you have that home crowd, it's just the greatest feeling and it really, really does help.”

After failing to go past two semi-finals this year, the Filipinas now do one better and reach its first ever final in any tournament, where they will face Thailand in a rematch of the last group stage match.

With less than 48 hours to recover, it is important for the team to focus on recovery and get ready for the final, where it is hoped that fans will fill each and every available seat – and then some – for the very last time.

The Philippines goes for the championship of the AFF Women’s Championships 2022 on Sunday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

—JMB, GMA News