Forward Mallie Ramirez kept the Filipinas in contention for the medal rounds in the SEA Games 2025 Thailand with a goal vs Vietnam.
BANGKOK – The Philippine women’s national football team kept themselves in contention for the medal rounds in the SEA Games 2025 Thailand after a resounding 1-nil win over defending champions Vietnam in Chonburri.
Mallie Ramirez, who has scored the Filipinas’ two goals so far this tournament, was the key to victory after she scored on a rebound from a header by Hali Long that was blocked.
Ramirez’ goal came at the death – deep into injury time – and sent the Philippines berserk.
[READ: Ramirez scores late goal as Filipinas shock Vietnam to revive SEA Games semis hopes]
After the match, Ramirez said that even she herself couldn’t really grasp what happened until it did, especially since Vietnam are the reigning champions in SEA Games.
“Honestly, like, it was surreal for me,” she said in an interview after the match.
“Like, I saw that ball coming into the box, I see Hali going in for it, and I knew I had to be in that spot in that exact moment. I think that I capitalized on that moment, and, yeah, just so happy and proud of this team to fight to the end,”
The Filipinas had come from a tough 2-1 loss at the hands of Myanmar, with the Burmese’s second goal coming in similar timing with Ramirez’s goal against Vietnam.
Now being able to reap the benefits of their hard work, it was a great feeling for the team all-around.
“Well, honestly… Leading up to this game, we prepared a lot throughout the days, and one thing that this team has all in common is the love for our country and for the flag, and that's exactly what we did today,” said Ramirez.
“Through the first half, through the second half, all the way to the 90th minute, we fought to the end, and we're here to make our country proud in this game.” she added.
Fresh legs for the Filipinas
Despite Ramirez’s recent success, she is arguably inexperienced in the national team compared to her teammates.
But with the rest of the roster helping her adjust well, she has been able to make things work.
With her veteran teammates’ leadership, Ramirez is able to subscribe quickly and well to the way things are done with the Filipinas.
“Of course, this is a new experience for me coming in as a newer face, newer person on this team, so having these girls, especially like Hali Long, guided me through a lot,” said Ramirez.
“[They] have just been like the eyes in the back of my head, telling me where to go, where to be, just giving me the advice that I need to be on the field.”
With one game remaining in pool play, the Filipinas hope to get a favorable result against Malaysia – with a sizable win needed to ensure their place in the next round. The Filipinas are coming off of an early exit in the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
The Filipinas are vying for their first podium finish since Vietnam 2022, and if they finish higher than bronze, have the chance to give the Philippines their best finish in SEA Games women’s football in their tournament history.
(With reports from Bea Escudero/Cignal)
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.