Thailand’s Kanyanat Chetthabutr, the 75th minute goalscorer, tries to elude the Philippines’ Hali Long during their AFF Women’s Championship match last night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. PFF photo
Pinays suffer first defeat in AFF
THE Philippines absorbed its first loss in the AFF Women’s Championship following a 0-1 defeat to regional rival Thailand before a tournament-high 2,923 fans at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Kanyanat Chetthabutr made the lone goal of the match in the 75th minute to formalize the Thais entry to the semifinals as Group A winners with 13 points.
The Filipinas ended up second in the group table with 12 points.
The Philippines will face the Group B winner, where defending champion Vietnam and Myanmar are battling for the top spot tomorrow at the same Malate venue.
Despite the 6-0 win over Malaysia in Imus, Cavite, the young Australia side was eliminated from semis contention. The Matildas wound up third with 10 points.
The Filipinas could only rue the unfortunate mistake that led to Kanyanat’s second-half strike after giving their foes everything to handle.
“One error costs us the game,” said Philippines coach Alen Stajcic.
