Fil-foreigners lift RP XI past Indons

The Philippines leaned on a pair of Fil-foreign players to topple Indonesia, 2-0, yesterday and stay in the medal hunt in women’s football competitions of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games before a wild-cheering crowd at the Marikina Sports Complex.

Striker Angeline Impelido, a 22-year-old Chicago, Illinois native, scored the first goal on the 30th minute, sending some 10,000 fans into frenzied celebration.

Midfielder Mariko Alley, a 17-year-old Fil-Am who hails from Huntington, West Virginia delivered the other goal on the 82nd minute that sealed the Nationals’ first win following a heartbreaking 0-1 loss to the Thais, the 2003 Hanoi Games bronze medalists, Thursday.

"I feel excited about it, it really feels good," said Impelido, whose 18-year-old sister Patrice is also a member of the squad.

The Philippines takes a rest today and will face fancied defending champion Vietnam tomorrow in make or break bid for a medal in the Games.

"This is the real Philippine team," said RP team manager Catherine Rivilla. "There’s no looking back for us, we’ll definitely go for the win in our last two games."

It was the first victory for the RP XI since trouncing the Malaysians, 1-0, in the 1999 Brunei Games.

Earlier, the Vietnamese downed the Thais, last edition’s bronze medal winners, 1-0, to tie their victims at second place with two wins and a loss.

Myanmar, which stunned Vietnam, 1-0, Tuesday, remained the only unbeaten squad with two victories. The RP XI takes on the Myanmar belles, who drubbed the Indonesians, 5-0, Thursday, in their last elimination round assignment.

The top two teams in the single-round robin tournament will advance to the gold medal round on Dec. 3. — With report fromTristran Taboac/Contributor