The Filipinas were left frustrated after their 1-0 defeat.
It wasn’t the Southeast Asian Games opener that the Philippine women’s national football team was hoping for.
The Filipinas were left disappointed after falling to Myanmar with a score of 1-0 on Wednesday night in Cambodia.
The decisive goal was made in the 89th minute when a penalty was given to Myanmar after a foul committed by Sofia Harrison inside the penalty box.
The Filipinas disputed the call, but it was upheld, and Win Theingi Tun successfully converted the spot kick to the upper right corner of the goal, just out of reach of Olivia McDaniel's outstretched arms.
Despite their efforts, the Filipinas were unable to even the score before time ran out.
When asked about the penalty call, coach Alen Stajic had a simple and frank answer.
"Myanmar got the lucky moment and capitalized. Congratulations to them,” said Stajic during the postgame press conference. "I don't have an opinion. The referee made the call, that's her job and it's a penalty. It's simple."
The Filipinas entered the SEA Games with high expectations following their championship run during the AFF Women’s Championship in July 2022. They are also set to make a historic debut in the FIFA World Cup in August.
Moreover, the team is coming off a sweep of its group matches in the first round of AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament last month.
Not all is lost for the Filipinas as they will try to recover on Saturday against Malaysia.
(GM)