Filipinas clobber Malaysia to book place in football semis

December 12 ------ The Philippine women's national football team is headed to the semifinals of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. The Filipinas overpowered Malaysia, 6-0, in their final assignment of the group stage to punch their ticket to the knockout round at the IPE Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand.

Rising star Alexa Pino starred for the Philippines, collecting a hat-trick, while Jessika Cowart, Ariana Markey, and Anicka Castaneda also found the back of the net. The Filipinas entered the match in a must-win situation after keeping their semis hopes alive with a slim 1-0 triumph over defending champion Vietnam in their previous assignment.

Vietnam defeated Myanmar in their final group stage match, 2-0, and the results meant that the three teams -- Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar -- all finished with six points. Vietnam and the Philippines progressed to the knockout stage by virtue of their superior goal-difference, however. The Filipinas wound up with a +6 GD to Myanmar's +2. "We had momentum from the Vietnam game. I believed if we're composed and in control in the final third we would score many goals as we did today," said head coach Mark Torcaso.

The Philippines struggled to convert their chances in the early stages of the match, however, with Malaysia playing stout defense to deny their opportunities. It wasn't until the last minute of the first half that Pino finally broke through, putting away the rebound after the Malaysian 'keeper blocked Meryll Serrano's initial attempt at goal. A more clinical squad came out in the second half, with the Filipinas showing more decisiveness in front of goal. Pino made it 2-0 in the 54th minute, this time converting off a fine delivery by Sara Eggesvik.

Jessika Cowart made it 3-0 in the 67th, showing great poise during a goalmouth scramble to swing the ball past the Malaysia defense. Two minutes later, Eggesvik was brought down inside the box by Malaysia's Eusvewana Kadius, and Pino coolly stepped up to take the penalty. A stutter-step by the 18-year-old froze Nur Ezza Ashikin Abdul Razak, and Pino completed her hat-trick in the 70th minute for a 4-0 lead.

The reserves completed the scoring for the Filipinas, with Ariana Markey finding the back of the net in her senior debut, and veteran Anicka Castañeda firing a rocket from long range in extra time. "I'm very excited for this group of players there's a lot of very, very talented players for the future of this country," said Torcaso, highlighting the performance of Pino -- the first player to score thrice in a SEAG match since Sarina Bolden in 2019 in a semis-clinching 5-0 shutout of Malaysia in Binan.

The Filipinas' victory means that both of the Philippines' football teams will advance to the semis, as the men's squad qualified to the medal round as well. The Philippines will be back in action on Sunday, December 14, against host Thailand in the semis. Vietnam will battle Indonesia in the other bracket.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com