Gutsy Pinay booters succumb to Thai side

The Philippines put up a tough stand in a long stretch but bowed to Thailand’s unrelenting attack in the end, dropping a heartbreaking 0-1 loss in women’s football of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games before a huge Thursday crowd at the Marikina Sports Park.

Pitsamai Sornsai scored the game’s lone goal in the 77th minute as the Thais kicked their way to a second straight victory. The Thais trounced the Indonesians, 2-1, Tuesday.

It was a sorry setback for the Nationals, who had a superb stint in the first 15 minutes with swarming attacks but which the Thais survived with a tough defense.

The hosts also missed in the 20-minute mark of the final half when Fil-Am Patrice Impelido set sister Angeline inside the penalty for a scoring position. But the tall, long-limbed goalie Waraporn Boonsing jumped in time to block Impelido’s attempt that saved the day for the Thais, who came up with that game-winning goal 11 minutes later.

"We had so many attempts for a goal but it never materialized," said RP team manager Catherine Rivilla. "But we’re still optimistic of our chances, we still have three games to go."

Despite the loss, RP still has a chance to snare a medal provided the Filipina booters post two wins. The hosts play the Indonesians, still winless in two outings, tomorrow.

RP pressed its attack early on, ran roughshod over their rivals and put up a brave defensive front against a dangerous Thai side before succumbing to Sornsai decisive goal.

In the first game, Myanmar continued its winning way blasting Indonesia in the second half for a 5-0 win to remain unbeaten in two matches. It earlier shocked Vietnam, 1-0, in the opener.

New New Toe broke the ice for Myanmar in the 30th minute and teammate Zin Mar Wann opened the door for her team’s all-out siege in the second half.

"We played a good game, but committed some mistakes," said Thun Toe Aung, team manager of Myanmar.

The game became a blowout when Aye Nandar Hlaing made a grounder on the ensuing play followed by a hard strike by Zin Mar Wann. — With report from Tristan Taboac