A FIRST-TIME stint in the Women’s World Cup, a bronze medal at the Southeast Asian Games and now this—champions of Southeast Asia.
The Filipinas—formerly the Malditas—completed a magically amazing run on Sunday night as they made history with a 3-0 shutout of highly-favored Thailand to capture the Philippines’ first major international victory in the sport—the 12th Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship title.
And what a choice of venue to pull off such a feat. The Rizal Memorial Stadium, once reported to be up for auction, added one more major accomplishment to its endless lore and with 8,000 screaming fans—that many who showed no reluctance at all whether it would rain heavily once more—yes, the Filipinas can.
Defender Jessika Cowart cracked the ice right in the eighth minute with a header off a pass from Tahnai Annis’s corner kick and only 12 minutes later, forward Katrina Guillou made it 2-0, a lead the Filipinas took care off until the break.
With the Thais playing like their spines needed to straighten up, the Filipinas didn’t coast, but played well on defense with Olivia Alexandra McDaniel protecting the goal as if her breath was on the line and the rest making several attacks of their own.
Until the 88th minute when everything was in the bag for the hosts when forward Sarina Bolden delivered the coup de grace with a header.
“For them to get through this grueling schedule… to finish like that with so much spirit and determination is a testament to this team,” said the Philippine’s Australian head coach Alen Stajcic. “We climbed a little hill tonight.. but it’s a great hill to climb, we know there are bigger battles ahead.”
Hill or mountain, the title-conquest proved the love of flag and country—and the fans’ support—are key to any goal.
“Our team was inspired by the support of the fans,” Philippine Football Federation President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta told BusinessMirror. “They played hard to earn the victory and we dedicate this championship to the Filipino fans.”
“Para sa bayan!” Araneta added.
The Filipinas placed second in Group A with a 4-1 win-loss record for 12 point. Their only loss was to the Thais, 0-1, but they bounced back by dethroning Vietnam in the semifinals, 4-0.
Myanmar on Sunday added to Vietnam’s woes by snatching a podium spot with a 4-3 victory in the battle for third place.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes