The Philippines’ title defense in the MSIG Serenity Cup 2025 came to an end in the group stage, after the Filipinas settled for a 1-1 draw against Myanmar on Wednesday night, August 13, at the Lạch Tray Stadium.
Needing a win — and multiple goals — in order to advance to the semifinals, the Philippine women’s national football team instead managed just one point after a tough match against their Southeast Asian rivals.
Advancing to the semis out of Group B are Myanmar and the Australian Under-23 team.
Myanmar topped the group with seven points on two wins and a draw against the Filipinas, while the Aussies took six points after beating the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
The Philippines had brought a much-changed squad into Vietnam from the one that won the AFF Women’s Championship on home soil in 2022, with several veteran players unavailable due to injury or club duties.
They opened their campaign with a confidence-boosting 7-0 rout of Timor-Leste, but a 1-0 loss to Australia in their second game put them in a must-win situation against Myanmar.
The Filipinas found themselves on the back foot after 33 minutes, when Olivia McDaniel gave up a penalty after clipping Myanmar skipper Win Theingi Tun inside the box. Tun stepped up to convert the spot kick for a 1-0 lead.
It wasn’t until the second half that the Filipinas found a lifeline, with young striker Nina Mathelus linking up with fellow substitute Adelaide Wyrzynski for the equalizer. Wyrzynski fired a superb cross into the box that Mathelus turned in with her left foot to put the Philippines back in the running, 1-1.
Unfortunately for the Filipinas, their ensuing attempts for a go-ahead goal were well dealt with by Myanmar’s defense.
Chandler McDaniel, Mathelus and skipper Hali Long all had their chances, but none of them found the back of the net.
Olivia McDaniel was called to action late when Yoon Wadi Hlaing broke away in transition, with the goal-keeper twice blocking the Myanmar player to keep the score level.
The Filipinas had one last chance when they won a corner kick in the closing minutes, but Wyrzynski’s attempt off a Chandler McDaniel cross went wide to the left.
Host nation Vietnam will now take on Australia in the semifinals, while Myanmar will be up against Thailand. (ABS-CBN News)