The Philippines endured a severe reality check last Sunday night when they lost 0-7 to heavily favored Thailand in the Asean Women’s Football Championship at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Ranked No. 6 in the world FIFA women’s futsal ratings, the Thais ran rampant against the hosts from the get-go. Sangrawee Meekham scored in the sixth minute before teammate Sawitree Mamyalee added the second just two minutes later.
Running circles around the Pinay defense, Paerploy Huajaipetch (13th) and Arriya Saetonen (17th) knocked in two goals in boosting the visitors to a commanding 4-0 edge at the break.
The other Thai goals came from Lalida Chimpabut (25th minute), Sangrawee Meekham (29th) and Nattamon Artkla (39th) on the way to their second win in a row.
In the other match, Vietnam came back in the second half to surge past Myanmar 5-2 in the five-nation, single-round tournament organized by the Philippine Football Federation as part of its preparations for the country’s hosting of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup in 2025.
Despite the lopsided loss, PH squad Dutch coach Vic Herman looked at the bright side, noting that “past teams would get clobbered in double digits. Even the men’s team lost 22-0 to Thailand. Games like this are good exposure for the girls.
“We (still) have to play Vietnam and Indonesia and we will give them a good fight.”
The Filipinas rested yesterday and hope to bounce back when they face Vietnam at 7 p.m. today.
