Olivia Mcdaniel made the final save as the Philippine women’s national football team defied the odds, beating powerhouse Vietnam via sudden death penalty shootout for the SEA Games 2025 gold medal.
You come at the queens, you best not miss.
Well, the Filipinas did not.
Olivia McDaniel saved the best for last, making the game-winning stop that secured the Philippine women’s national football team a historic gold medal, edging powerhouse Vietnam via a 6-5 penalty shootout in the SEA Games 2025 on Wednesday.
The victory marked the first time the Filipinas won the tournament, ending Vietnam’s five-peat bid.
The Philippines’ road to the historic win included an earlier win against Vietnam in group play, saving the team’s semis hopes.
After the Filipinas reached the semis, they then beat Vietnam in a similarly-dramatic penalty shootout.
The historic gold is a fitting exit to longtime goalkeeper Inna Palacios, who will call it a career for the national team.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.