SAMUT PRAKAN – The Philippine women’s national futsal team etched another milestone in Philippine football history, upsetting 2023 SEA Games bronze medalist Malaysia, 3-1, in a dramatic Group A encounter on Saturday to complete a rare triple semifinal qualification for the country at the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games.
Earlier in the tournament, the Philippine men’s national football team (under-22) and the Philippine women’s national football team also advanced to the semifinals, each collecting six points in group play highlighted by landmark victories over reigning champions Indonesia and Vietnam, respectively. Together, the three semifinal berths underscore a watershed moment for Philippine football across disciplines.
The Filipina5’s victory over Malaysia was particularly significant. Ranked 69th in the FIFA women’s futsal rankings, the Philippines overcame a Malaysian side ranked 27th in the world, ending an 18-year SEA Games win drought in women’s futsal and reinforcing the upward trajectory of a program coming off a historic participation—and hosting—in the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in Pasig City.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez hailed the result as a defining chapter for the sport in the country. “This triple semifinal qualification is not coincidence; it is the product of years of deliberate investment, belief, and alignment across our national teams,” Gutierrez said.
“What the Filipina5 achieved today—defeating a much higher-ranked opponent in Malaysia—speaks volumes about the direction of our women’s futsal program after the World Cup. This is how sustainable football development looks: competitive, fearless, and forward-looking,” he emphasized
The Philippines struck early and decisively in the first half for an early lead.
In the fourth minute, Inday Tolentin finished a quick break, meeting Maye Mendaño’s left-footed cross that stemmed from a long ball by Bhebhe Lemoran, for her sixth international futsal goal.
Just two minutes later, Isabella Bandoja doubled the lead with a composed finish following a crisp one-two exchange with Tolentin, marking her seventh international goal.
Malaysia attempted to respond, but Hughes anchored the Philippine defense, producing back-to-back saves in the 13th minute to deny Hanis Farhana from close range and preserve the two-goal cushion heading into halftime.
The second half tested the Filipina5’s resolve. Substitute goalkeeper Kayla Santiago turned aside Siti Asnidah’s counterattacking effort in the 31st minute, while Tolentin and Mendaño continued to probe on the flanks.
Hughes again proved pivotal when she returned to action, delivering a crucial double save on Fatin Shahida’s attempts in the 34th minute as Malaysia increased the pressure.
Malaysia finally broke through in the 39th minute, with Farahiyah Ridzuan scoring from close range during a power-play sequence, assisted by Siti Nurkhaleeda from the middle of the penalty arc.
The goal set up a frantic finish, with Malaysia deploying flying keeper Yasin Norhawa in search of an equalizer. Hughes, however, stood tall. In the final minute, the teenage goalkeeper produced two point-blank saves on Norhawa in successive possessions—stops that quite literally sent the Philippines’ to the semifinals.
Moments later, as Malaysia committed numbers forward, Mendaño sealed the victory with a calm midcourt strike into Malaysia’s empty net at the buzzer.
Filipina5 head coach Rafael Merino praised his players’ composure and belief.
“We are very happy. For us it’s very important to win some games against some teams, and especially in the SEA Games,” Merino said. “But for us the ranking is not the most important. It’s our idea, how we play, how we feel, how we can transmit to the fans. Very, very happy for winning Malaysia. The players deserve this victory.”
Merino added that the challenge ahead remains steep. “It’s very difficult because all teams are preparing for this moment, especially Vietnam and Indonesia. They didn’t play the World Cup and they are fighting for victory in the SEA Games. But we will try.”
Hughes, who emerged as the match’s defining figure, credited teamwork and discipline.
“In the last ten minutes, it was just play as a team, stick to the game plan, and fight for our lives,” she said. “Everybody put their puso on the court. We’ve already come so far, coming out of a World Cup into this, and this is just the beginning.”
Gutierrez emphasized that the significance of the win goes beyond a single match.
“This result validates the momentum generated by hosting the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup,” he said. “Our athletes have shown that they can translate that experience into performance. Philippine women’s futsal is moving upward, and this SEA Games run is proof that we belong on this stage.”
With a semifinal berth secured, the Filipina5 now look to continue their SEA Games run in the semifinals against reigning ASEAN champions Vietnam on December 16 at 5:30 PM.
