The Philippine Women’s National Football Team suffered a chastening 0-1 defeat by the hands of Myanmar within the first sport of their SEA Games marketing campaign in Phnom Penh.
Defender Sofia Harrison was adjudged to have fouled Myanmar’s San Thaw Thaw contained in the field, leading to a late penalty from Myanmar within the dying minutes of the match.
The final gasp method of Myanmar’s victory – and the Philippines’ defeat – might indicate that Myanmar one way or the other received the sport by means of a positive name from the referee, however make no mistake about it, Myanmar deserved the total three factors, and the Philippines, the defeat.
From the onset, Myanmar got here out of the blocks with a way of urgency as they pressed and harassed the Filipinas from the opening whistle.
Myanmar, maybe motivated to avenge their bronze medal defeat by the hands of the Philippines final 12 months, got here out preventing and a sustained strain in most components of the primary half confirmed precisely how a lot they wished the victory.
It was all the way down to the Philippines to muster an appropriate response, and Hali Long typified the Filipinas’ gallant resistance with an immense efficiency on the again, virtually single-handedly maintaining the pink shirts of Myanmar at bay.
Coach Alen Stajcic has earned the followers’ respect and loyalty together with his earlier group choices, however beginning the younger Bella Pasion on the coronary heart of the Filipinas’ midfield might not have been his greatest resolution, because the Filipinas struggled to get a footing within the sport.
Sara Eggesvik was compelled to cowl extra floor, and it was solely the introduction of Jackie Sawicki on the halftime break that the group confirmed a semblance of management within the sport.
The harmful Sarina Bolden was left preventing for scraps and the introduction of Chandler McDaniel late within the sport couldn’t flip the tide for the Philippines.
The Filipinas’ physicality and magnificence of play could also be thought-about properly suited towards some opposition, however they must adapt towards a pesky, very fast and annoyingly persistent Southeast Asian group like Myanmar.
The penalty towards the Philippines, when it got here, was a hammer blow to the Filipinas, who might need settled for a draw as much as that time.
Was it a penalty? I say, no. But, these kind of calls have been given and because the saying goes, you create your personal luck.
In this case, Myanmar created its personal luck by frequently threatening the Philippines and placing balls in harmful areas, resulting in the penalty name by the referee.
The basic dose of time losing and play performing by Myanmar led to the referee permitting 10 minutes of added time to the sport, however the Filipinas couldn’t discover a late equalizer.
But, for all of the gloom and doom, it’s simply the opening sport of the group levels.
However, defeat to Myanmar now implies that the Philippines haven’t any selection however to beat Malaysia and comparable World Cup debutants and defending champions Vietnam if we’re to harbor any hope of development to the ultimate 4.
Malaysia might have been on the receiving finish of a 3-0 mauling from Vietnam, however we once more overlook them at our personal threat.
Forget about profitable that elusive gold medal, or nabbing a podium end. The extra necessary goal for now’s make it to the subsequent spherical.
It can be necessary to give attention to the gamers who’re in Cambodia, and never dwell on those that should not. In fact, the Philippines have sufficient high quality to get the job finished, and present Southeast Asia what a World Cup certain group is able to.
The Filipinas play Malaysia in a should win sport on May 6 at 9pm. — LA, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
