PHNOM PENH. – The Philippine national women’s football team faces a must-win situation when it takes on defending champion Vietnam Tuesday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the Smart RNS Stadium here.
A win will hand the team, collectively known as the Filipinas, a ticket to the semifinals and the chance to surpass their bronze-medal finish in Vietnam last year.
The Filipinas, who kept their hopes alive after a 1-0 win over Malaysia last Saturday, can’t afford a draw because it may give Myanmar a chance to go for a semis slot.
“We have to win now to stay alive in the tournament. It’s a must-win game for us.
Vietnam, we’ve beaten them once in our history,” said Filipinas’ coach Allen Stajcic.
The Filipinas were handed a 1-2 defeat by Vietnam at the latter’s home turf in last year’s 31st SEA Games.
But the Philippines got revenge in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship with a massive 4-0 win in the semifinals, before stunning Thailand 3-0 to run away with the crown before a delirious hometown crowd in Manila.
Vietnam is currently on top of Group A, following its 3-1 triumph over Myanmar.
“It’s a tough game. They’re on top of the group. So, we have to win and we have to win well to stay alive,” added Stajcic
Sarina Bolden scored a late goal that lifted the Filipinas to the victory over Malaysia on Saturday night. It was her 21st goal in 34 appearances for the national team.
“Sarina is a classic example of someone who just dug really deep to find the winner and inspire the team and kept us alive by the skin of our teeth,” said Stajcic.
