The long drought continues as the Philippine Men’s National Football Team finished just outside the podium at the SEA Games 2025 after bowing to Malaysia.
Still no SEA Games football medal for the Philippine men's national team.
The Filipinos fell short, falling 2-1 to Malaysia in the bronze medal showdown at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, December 18.
The Philippines went down early after Danish Hakimi Sahaludin slotted home from a chaotic scramble inside the box in the 28th minute.
Eight minutes after going behind, the Philippines leveled the score as Haqimi Azim headed an unfortunate own goal off Antoine Ortega’s long throw.
Azim made amends in the 43rd minute, dribbling past keeper Nicholas Guimarães and firing a right-footed strike into the net to put Malaysia back in front, 2-1.
The Philippines twice looked to equalize in the second half, only to be denied by sharp saves from Zulhilmi Sharani with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Even with the bronze slip, the Filipino booters had a memorable tournament after reaching the semifinals for the first time since 1991,
—
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.