The Philippine women's national football team ahead of their match against Vientam in the the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 8, 2025 at the Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand. PFF-PWNFT
(UPDATED) The Philippine women's national football team is still in contention in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games after a heart-stopping 1-0 triumph over Vietnam, Monday evening at the Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand.
Mallie Ramirez scored four minutes into stoppage time to put the Philippines ahead after a back-and-forth affair against the defending SEA Games champions.
"My heart is still going very quickly. But I'm very proud of all the girls," said coach Mark Torcaso after te match. "It's very exciting for us to get a good result tonight."
A foul by Thai Thi Thao on Megan Murray near the half line proved pivotal, with Olivia McDaniel dropping deep to send the ball into the Filipinas' half.
Skipper Hali Long met McDaniel's delivery and headed the ball to the penalty box, where Alessandrea Carpio's initial attempt was blocked by Vietnam goal-keeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh.
Ramirez was there to save the day, however, pouncing on the rebound and putting the ball into the back of the net.
"Obviously I feel very proud and excited to be able to do this for my team, for my country most of all," said Ramirez.
"I saw that I needed to go into that space in the front post… Just being in that right moment, right time, and being able to capitalize on that," she also said.
It was her second goal of the competition, having also been on the scoresheet in the Filipinas' 1-2 loss to Myanmar last Friday.
READ: Filipinas fall to Myanmar in SEA Games opener
This time around, they held on to take all three points, with a late corner by Vietnam going nowhere and the whistle blowing seconds later.
With the result, the Philippines is in second place in Group B behind Myanmar, who have won both of their assignments.
The Filipinas are still in a must-win situation when they play Malaysia on Thursday, December 11 at the IPE Chonburi Stadium.
"We just want to focus on what we need to do, and we know that we need to win the next game. And I'm sure that everything else will take care of itself. We're gonna go out there and be aggressive," said Torcaso.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the semifinals.
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