Malditas yield to Viets, bow out of Asean football semis

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Malditas played with a lot of heart but still yielded a 2-4 setback to powerhouse Vietnam to kiss their semis bid goodbye in the 2012 Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship last night at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.

The loss, coming after a 0-3 setback to Myanmar last Thursday, effectively ousted the Malditas from the cross-over semis with still one game left in their elims slate in Group A. The Pinays, who have assembled their stronger lineup, will try to bow out on a bright note against Singapore on Monday.

The Malditas surrendered two goals to Vietnam in the first 45 minutes of action, the first coming off a miscue by goal keeper Inna Palacios that set the tone for the match.

Fil-Am Heather Cooke put Phl XI on the board as the Malditas tried to mount a second-half fightback to try to revive their fortunes but the host Vietnamese countered with two more goals to make it 4-1. Patrice Impelido connected off a corner to give the Malditas some consolation before the final whistle.