Near misses for PH men’s football, Filipina5 as SEA Games bronze bids fall short

The glow of the Filipinas’ golden night did not carry over to Thursday’s consolation matches, as two other Philippine squads saw their SEA Games campaigns end just outside the podium. 

In separate venues across Bangkok, the men’s U-22 football team and the women’s futsal side both absorbed defeats in their respective bronze-medal matches, leaving the country without additional medals in the sport.

At the Rajamangala National Stadium, the men’s footballers suffered a 2-1 setback against Malaysia, a result that stung even more considering their strong run in the group stage. 

Malaysia struck first in the 28th minute through Sahaludin Hakimi, but the Philippines found a lifeline eight minutes later when Rosli Azim turned the ball into his own net under pressure.

Any momentum from the equalizer was short-lived, however, as Azim redeemed himself just before halftime, scoring in the 43rd minute to restore Malaysia’s lead — a margin that would stand until the final whistle.

The loss sealed a frustrating end for a Philippine side that went unbeaten in the eliminations, highlighted by a 1-0 win over defending champion Indonesia. 

That promise faded in the knockout rounds, where a 2-0 semifinal defeat to Vietnam sent them to the bronze match and, ultimately, home without a medal.

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SEA GAMES 2025 | Men’s Football –Bronze Medal Match

FT: Philippines U22 – Malaysia U22#SEAGames33 #SG2025 pic.twitter.com/2ZSd4sOUJs

— ASEAN FOOTBALL (@theaseanball) December 18, 2025

BRAVE ’TIL THE END

The Filipina5 settle for fourth place after a tough 0-5 loss to host Thailand in the futsal bronze-medal match of the SEA Games 2025 Thailand.#2025SEAGames #SEAGames #TibayAtTatag #SEAGames33 #SEAGamesThailand #SEAGames2025 pic.twitter.com/gnER8eJypX

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 18, 2025

Earlier in the day, the Filipina5 endured a harsh lesson against a motivated Thai squad at Bangkokthonburi University, bowing 5-0 to the hosts in the women’s futsal bronze-medal game. 

Thailand set the tone early, with goals from Arriya, Sasikarn, and Paerploy inside the opening seven minutes, before Jenjira and Suchanat added late strikes to complete the rout. Both teams came into the SEA Games fresh from competing in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in Pasig City, but it was the hosts who translated that experience into a commanding finish.

The Philippine futsal team showed flashes of quality earlier in the tournament, splitting its two group-stage matches with a 3-1 win over Malaysia and a loss to Thailand, before falling narrowly to Vietnam, 1-0, in the semifinals. 

Thailand, for its part, had also been pushed to the bronze match after a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout loss to Indonesia following a 4-4 draw.

While the Filipinas’ historic gold in women’s football ensured a landmark SEA Games for Philippine football, Thursday’s results served as a reminder of the fine margins at the regional level — and the work still ahead for the country’s men’s and futsal programs.

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