BANGKOK — Another chapter of "her-story" was written on Sunday, Dec. 14 — one that is shaping up to be like a Cinderella run.
The Philippine women’s football team stunned host Thailand and its home crowd, prevailing 4–2 on penalties after a tense draw to book a place in the gold medal match in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at Chonburi Stadium here.
With a historic first finals appearance on the line, the Nationals showed nerves of steel and converted all of the four penalty kicks as Thai player Waeengoen Orapin went over the bar on her attempt to allow the Filipinas’ great escape.
Of course, the match wouldn’t have come to the penalty shootout if not for the 87th minute goal from Jael Marie Guy that tied the match at 1-1 until the end of the extra time.
Guy, alongside Alessandrea Carpio, Sara Eggesvik, and Hali Long all found the back of the net during the shootout, while, Sontisawat Pluemjai missed for the host team.
With the win, the Filipinas are now assured of their best finish in the SEA Games and they now have a chance of claiming their first-ever gold mint when they take on Vietnam in the finale.
Interestingly, it won’t be the first time that two teams would be crossing paths as they also played in the group stage with the Filipinas coming away with a 1-0 win.