By REYNALD MAGALLON
The Philippine football teams posted contrasting results to open their respective bids in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The men’s team kicked off its 33rd Southeast Asian Games campaign on a high note after essaying a 2-0 victory over Myanmar at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiangmai, Thailand just as women’s side surrendered a last minute goal and dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 loss also against Myanmar to open its campaign on the wrong foot at the IPE Chonburi Stadium on Friday, Dec. 5.
The Nationals broke through with a 19th minute goal from Alex Monis before the relentless pressure from the Filipinos forced their foes to commit an own goal early in the second half.
The Filipinos bagged the full three points to take the early lead in the Group C standings.
A quick counterattack spearheaded by Dylan Demunyck made wonders for the Filipinos as he found the streaking Monis in the middle of the box with a well-placed cross. The men’s team midfielder then delivered the strike – much to the shock of the Burmese.
Though leading, the Filipinos kept their feet on the gas pedal as Demunyck once again found himself wide open on the left flank early in the second half.
He fired another cross in hopes for one of his teammates to catch it and get in the position to score but Latt Wai Phone failed to clear the ball and ended up scoring an own goal at the 50th minute mark.
Meanwhile, the women’s team failed to take advantage of Mallie Ramirez’s equalizer at the 68th minute mark as well as the several chances they had after that as the Burmese scored on a clutch header late to claim the full three points in Group B.
May Htet Lu headed home the game-winner at the 89th minute mark off a beautiful cross from a Myanmar counterattack – much to the disappointment of the Filipinas who dug deep to draw even.
After conceding an early goal from Win Theingi Tun with only five minutes gone by into the match, the Filipinas looked to be the more aggressive team for the rest of the half.
The Nationals continued with the relentless pressure on the Burmese side in the second half before it finally bore fruit with Ramirez scoring her first international goal.
She found the back of the net off a rebound after Myanmar goalkeeper Myo Mya Mya Nyein fumbled the ball following a Jessica Cowart header.
The momentum swung to the side of the Filipinas with Ramirez, Alex Pino and Nina Mathelus all having their chances but Nyein made sure Myanmar won’t concede anymore goals.
