By REYNALD MAGALLON
BANGKOK — For the first time in history, the Philippine women’s football team crowned itself as queen in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games with a pulsating 6-5 sudden death penalty shootout against Vietnam following goal-less draw at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The win was magical – feeling heavenly.
And why not. It was the heaviest gold so far for Team PH.
And Filipino crowd celebrated wildly and in unison — as if, not a few moments ago, they were at the edge of their seats during a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
But everyone, from the stands to the coaches and more so the players embraced the moment and basked in the glory no one has ever experienced in the past.
With the 120 minutes not enough to decide the winner, everything boiled down on goalkeeper Olivia McDaniels who displayed unwavering resolve and superb instinct to save Vietnam’s sixth attempt in the penalty shooto
Vietnam’s Tran Thi Thu’s sent the ball to the near top right corner of the goal but was perfectly read by McDaniels who immediately grabbed the ball for a gold-clinching save.
Sharing the limelight with McDaniels was Jaclyn Sawicki who beautifully put the ball at the top left corner for a 6-5 lead before Tran’s shot was denied.
