Malditas yield to Thais, bow out of semis

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Malditas took a 1-5 loss to a superior and rugged Thailand side in the AFF Women’s Championship and bowed out of the semis race Wednesday in Vientiane, Laos.

“Thailand played a complete game,” said Malditas coach Ernest Nierras, whose wards absorbed their second straight defeat in the group stages after a 0-2 loss to Myanmar.

The Filipinas, making their first international appearance after a two-year hiatus, play fellow winless Malaysia at 7 tonight, trying to finish third in Group B.

Malaysia fell to the Thais, 1-8, and Myanmar, 0-8, to likewise drop out of the semis picture.

Despite the loss, Nierras lauded the Malditas performance against the Thais, who romped off with a 12-0 rout in their previous encounter.

“I was very proud of how they played Thailand. They gave it everything. Unlike the Myanmar match, which I totally believe we gave away (the refereeing being a major contributor). This match was different. It was dogfight in the second half, and a tactical one during the first half,” he said.

The Malditas tried to contain Thailand’s attacks and counter for much of the first half. The Thais managed six attempts on goal, but converted three – Junpen Seesraum’s stinging shot that came off the crossbar before crossing the line into goal, Kanjana Sung-Jeon’s strike, and Sunisa Srangthaisong’s point-blank shot.

“We could not move the ball offensively during the first half. Thailand was simply far superior technically,” admitted Nierras.

The Thais and the Filipinas battled fiercely in a physical second half that saw a total of five yellow cards issued and Malditas captain Marielle Benitez suffering a pulled groin in one of the encounters.

Nisa Romyen knocked in two goals to make it 5-0 for Thailand before Sam Nierras nailed a header in a set play for the final score.

“There were too many cheap shots from Thailand. So I told the girls to hit back, and apologize the same way the Thai players would after downing one of our own,” said Nierras.

“I even told our girls to fight back, even if they get a red card. And fight they did. They did not let up, nor did Thailand. They (Thais) were so mad with our players, they did not bother to shake their hands after the match. Our girls showed their class by congratulating the Thai bench,” he added.