CHONBURI—Philippine football is on a historic run in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games here.
For the first time, the country is in the semifinal stage of the men’s and women’s divisions in a single SEA Games – with a chance to go for more.
“First time. It’s never happened before,” Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez said Thursday night after the Filipinas routed Malaysia, 6-0, to follow the U22 squad to the next round.
The U22 booters swept their two assignments in Group C to make the semis after 34 long years. They’re set to face Vietnam on Monday at the Rajamangala Stadium, with a ticket to the gold medal match at stake.
The Filipinas, bronze medalists in 2021, are back in the semis after failing to get past the group play the last time in Cambodia. They’re up against host Thailand in Sunday’s semis at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium.
“Only now both men’s and women’s football are both through to the semis. We’re very happy about that,” said Gutierrez.
“But it’s not over yet. We can’t be complacent. We still have to do our work. We want to be in the finals for both men’s and women’s. We have to be fully prepared. Congratulations to the Philippine nation for accomplishing the feat (historic semis in both divisions). It may not be the end goal yet. But hopefully we’ll get there,” he added.
The PFF chief also has high hopes for the Filipina5, who were slated to compete in the women’s futsal competition from Dec. 12 to 18 in Samut Prakan.
