“This gold medal is a defining moment for Philippine football and a testament to generations of Filipinas who dreamed of standing on top of the SEA Games podium. It is the culmination of a collective, long-term effort—built on the progress of previous years and strengthened by the current momentum of the Filipinas. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the players–the reliable veterans and the young rising stars–who gave all their heart on the pitch. We thank the coaches, team staff, and management who helped make this achievement possible. We also thank the thousands of Filipinos who showed their support at the stadium and from home. What this team has achieved tonight will inspire young girls across the country to believe that history can be rewritten through perseverance, unity, and pride in representing the flag.”
“This triumph was powered not only by what happened on the pitch, but by the unwavering support of the Filipino community here in Thailand and the millions of Filipinos around the world who stood with this team every step of the way. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Philippine Sports Commission Chair Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, and FIFA Council Member and former PFF President Mariano V. Araneta for their support, which helped make this historic achievement possible.”
– PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez
It was a dream forty years in the making, when the Philippine women’s national football team participated as one of three nations in the inaugural Southeast Asian (SEA) Games football tournament for women in Thailand, automatically getting the bronze medal.
But for decades, Filipino women have been knocking on the door, not only for another silverware, but for the gold medal in the global sport of football at this hallowed biennial meet, staged in one of the world’s most passionate football regions. The Filipinas narrowly missed the podium in 1995, 2005, 2017, and 2019, before finally returning to the medal rounds with a bronze in 2021 behind a World Cup-bound squad. Still, the hunger for something greater—something historic—never faded.
That long pursuit reached its crowning moment on December 17, 2025, a date now etched permanently in Philippine sporting history. Four decades after their first SEA Games appearance, the Filipinas–composed of a great mix of World Cup veterans and emerging young talents under the age of 23, completed a full-circle journey in Thailand by defeating defending champions Vietnam, 6-5, on sudden death penalties after a tense 0-0 draw in the final.
“This gold medal is the reward for years of quiet sacrifice, belief, and love for the country, and it belongs to every Filipina who carried the flag long before this moment,” commended Philippine Football Federation (PFF) General Secretary and Head of Delegation Gelix Mercader, who presented the gold medal to each of the 23 members of the team.
Olivia McDaniel, the Filipinas’ mainstay goalkeeper over the past three years, once again proved decisive under the brightest lights. In sudden death, McDaniel delivered her third career penalty shootout win in international play, making the golden save on Tran Thi Thu as the Vietnamese attempt struck squarely into her gloves.
“We all had a part to play and we knew at the end of the day the job needs to be done and so we just rallied behind each other and knew there was nothing else but the gold,” McDaniel said.
Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso, who guided this team after its 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign for more than two years, paid tribute to his squad’s preparation and resilience throughout the campaign.
“The girls have been absolutely outstanding this whole competition… we trained really hard for this,” he said.
The gold medal match itself was a bruising, physically demanding contest, with Vietnam testing the Filipinas’ resolve from the opening whistle.
In the first half, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha’s missed the ball from a left-sided lob on her header attempt in the 10th minute, while Cu Thi Huynh Nhu fired off target from the top of the box in the 22nd.
The Filipinas responded with Mallie Ramirez just missing inside the six-yard box off an Alessandrea Carpio through pass a minute later.
Vietnam thought they had taken the lead in the 29th minute through Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy’s header, but the goal was disallowed for an offside infraction.
Carpio then threatened from distance in the 43rd minute, her shot flashing wide right.
The second half settled into a tense tactical battle, with both sides prioritizing defensive solidity.
Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh denied Ramirez on a driving run in the 67th minute, while McDaniel stood firm to save Nguyen’s header off a Tran Thi Thu cross in the 80th.
Deep into stoppage time, Jael Guy rose to meet a right-sided cross from Pino, but her header sailed over the bar.
In extra time, the Filipinas asserted greater control, enjoying more possession and pinning Vietnam in their own half through sustained pressure and forced throw-ins.
However, Vietnam packed the final third effectively, limiting clear scoring chances, while the Filipinas’ disciplined defensive shape likewise stifled Vietnamese attacks, sending the final to a penalty shootout.
From the spot, the Filipinas were unflappable. Jael Guy, Pino, captain Hali Long, Angie Beard, Ari Markey, and Jackie Sawicki all converted with composure. Vietnam matched them through Huynh Nhu, Ngoc Minh Chuyen, Nguyen Thi Truc Huong, Hoang Thi Loan, and Cu Thi Huynh Nhu—until Tran Thi Thu stepped up in sudden death and was denied by McDaniel, sealing Philippine football’s first-ever SEA Games gold.
Reflecting on the journey, Torcaso emphasized the character shown by his players.
“After the first game the girls were a bit flat and down, but then we found that real fight and the passion that the girls have for our country,” he said. “The way that they displayed themselves over the last ten days was absolutely outstanding. I’m so happy for them, for our fans here, and for everyone back home in the Philippines. I hope this helps us progress forward for the Asian Cup.”
He added, “They’re crazy, they’re exciting, they’re passionate. They love the country and they love to play for our flag. I’m just so proud of them, and after tonight we’ll enjoy this moment before turning our focus to our Asian Cup preparations.”
“To finally bring home a SEA Games football gold is both a reward and a responsibility,” President Gutierrez said in closing. “This victory raises the bar for all our national teams and reinforces our commitment to sustained excellence and development across Philippine football.”
