The Philippine women’s national futsal team, the Filipina5, opened their 2026 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship campaign with a landmark 1–0 victory over Myanmar, securing their first-ever win against the regional powerhouse in their Group B clash Tuesday at Terminal 21 Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The triumph marks a significant step forward for the Philippines, who previously held Myanmar—ranked 38th in the world compared to the Philippines’ 69th—to a 2-2 draw in the 2024 edition in Pasig City.
“Today’s result is a powerful statement about how far Philippine women’s futsal has risen in just a year. This historic victory over a higher-ranked Myanmar side reflects the Filipina5’s growing tactical maturity, resilience, and belief in themselves,” commended Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez.
Coming off last year’s period of remarkable growth that includes participating in and hosting the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, qualifying for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, and reaching the semifinals of the Southeast Asian Games, the Filipina5, in their first game of 2026, showed composure, discipline, and improving technical quality against a traditionally superior opponent.
Myanmar controlled the opening minutes with aggressive attacking sequences, but most attempts went off frame. Goalkeeper Samantha Hughes delivered an early save in the 4th minute, setting the tone for the Philippines’ defensive stability.
As the half progressed, the Filipina5 found their rhythm, generating multiple breakthroughs through the relentless forward play of team captain Inday Tolentin.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute. Off a kick-in and facing a double team in a tight space on the right flank, Tolentin, scorer of six international futsal goals, created enough separation to fire the match’s lone goal past Myanmar keeper Chaw Sandi Aung—a decisive moment that shifted momentum fully toward the Filipina5.
Additional defensive stands by Lyka Cuenco and newcomer Sarahgen Tulabing late in the half preserved the 1–0 advantage entering the break.
“I fulfilled what I want for the team,” Tolentin commented after the game. “We want to play as a team. Our goal is to win and to show every opponent that we’re here to compete, not just to play. We’re here to compete and to win.”
The second half showcased the Filipina5’s evolution as a pressing and transition-oriented side. Their high and mid-press consistently disrupted Myanmar’s build-up, with Bhebhe Lemoran and Tolentin forcing turnovers and limiting clean entries into the arc.
The Philippines generated further attacking chances through Cuenco, Graversen, and rookie Janly Fontamillas’s clearances, while Hughes and substitute keeper Kayla Santiago provided crucial saves to maintain control.
Myanmar shifted to a power-play system in the final five minutes, but the Filipina5 executed an impeccable zone defense. Graversen and Tulabing delivered critical blocks and clearances—particularly in the final minute—to secure the historic win.
Filipina5 head coach Rafa Merino emphasized this, saying, “I think the most important point is that we played 40 minutes, very, very focused, with high intensity. Also, I think the key is the last five minutes, defending the power play.”
The Filipina5 return to action tomorrow, 25 February, and will try to avenge a 0-1 loss against defending champion and SEA Games gold medalist Vietnam last December in the SEA Games semifinals. Kick-off is at 2:30 PM, again at Terminal 21 Korat. Free live stream is available on the official PFF Facebook page at facebook.com/phifootballfederation.
