THE Philippines conceded a late goal, and was nipped in painful fashion by Indonesia, 2-1, on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena to miss out on a spot in the third-place match of the 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship.
Nisma Francida Rusdiana scored the winner with only 1:11 left in the match to lead Indonesia to a place in the battle for third against Myanmar on Thursday.
The Pinay5 needed only a draw to play in the third-place match.
Host team left in tears
Members of the Philippine team including Isabella Bandoja, who tied the match in the first half, were left in tears at the final buzzer. Louraine Evangelisa, one of the youngest players in the team at 15, openly wept during the postmatch press conference.
“The team is very disappointed. They were so close… I’m proud of my players,” said Philippines head coach Victor Hermans, whose team will play in the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup next year as the host country.
Bandoja scored the game-tying goal with 8:52 remaining in the first half for the Philippines to make up for a goal yielded at the 13:35-mark to Alya Ananda Hendrita.
The Pinay5 looked headed for a favorable result, clearly dominating the possessions and executing more scoring chances in the second half, only to lose on a set piece by Indonesia.
The Philippines closed the five-nation tournament with one point after a draw and three losses, two of which in lopsided fashion against world-rated squads Thailand, 7-0, and Vietnam, 6-1.
Thailand and Vietnam will battle for the championship on Thursday night.
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