Filipinas break SEA Games women’s football barrier with golden night in Chonburi

What began as a tense, scoreless battle ended as a defining moment not just for the Filipinas, but for Philippine football as a whole.

Under the floodlights of Chonburi Daikin Stadium on Wednesday night, the Philippines finally crossed a line it had never reached before — SEA Games football gold. And fittingly, it came in the most dramatic fashion possible.

After 90 minutes of deadlock against four-time defending champion Vietnam, it was goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel who etched her name into history. In the sudden-death phase of a nerve-shredding penalty shootout, McDaniel read Tran Thi Thu’s attempt perfectly, catching the shot cleanly to seal a 6–5 victory and trigger an outpouring of celebration on the pitch.

Prior to that moment, anxiety hung thick in the air. Both sides were flawless through the first five penalties, refusing to blink. When Jaclyn Sawicki drilled the Philippines’ sixth kick into the top-left corner for a 6–5 edge, the stage was set. One save later, the long wait was over.

Before Wednesday, neither the Philippine men’s nor women’s teams had ever won a football crown at the Southeast Asian Games. That barrier fell with McDaniel’s calm hands and a team that refused to be rattled.

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A HISTORIC WIN FOR PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL

The Filipinas MAKE HISTORY for the Philippines as they capture the country’s FIRST-EVER GOLD in the women’s football event at the SEA Games after defeating Vietnam in the 2025 edition!#2025SEAGames #SEAGames #TibayAtTatag pic.twitter.com/OLzRDTDCtL

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 17, 2025

The gold medal capped a tournament defined by resilience rather than smooth sailing. The Filipinas opened their campaign with a 2–1 setback against Myanmar — a result that could have derailed lesser teams. Instead, it became the turning point. 

The Philippines rebounded by edging Vietnam 1–0 in the group stage, routed Malaysia 6–0 to book a semifinal berth, then survived host Thailand in another penalty shootout, 4–2, after a 1–1 draw.

By the time the final arrived, the Filipinas had already lived through every kind of pressure the tournament could offer.

Vietnam nearly tilted the match in their favor midway through the first half when Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy powered in a header in the 29th minute, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside. From there, both teams battled through a tactical stalemate, neither willing to concede an inch with gold on the line.

For head coach Mark Torcaso, the victory completed what can only be described as a magical run — one built on belief, adaptability, and collective grit.

The triumph carried emotional weight beyond the medal itself. It provided a golden sendoff for veteran goalkeeper Inna Palacios, who ends her SEA Games journey after 52 international caps, and crowned Hali Long’s 101st appearance for the national team with the most meaningful prize of all.

The celebration, however, is not the end of the road.

With Southeast Asian supremacy now secured, the Filipinas turn their attention to a much larger stage — the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, where the stakes rise even higher. A top-four finish there brings automatic qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

For now, though, Philippine football has its long-awaited moment. On a night defined by nerve, patience, and one unforgettable save, the Filipinas didn’t just win a final — they rewrote history.

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