THE PHILIPPINES’ bid to reach the knockout stage of the AFF Women’s Championship suffered a blow Monday night after a 1-4 defeat to Burma (Myanmar) in Group B play at Thong Nat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Filipinos squandered a 1-0 halftime lead as a hat-trick from winger Naw Arlo Wer Phaw boosted the Burmese to its first victory.
With the result, the Filipinos are left with no choice but to beat powerhouse Vietnam in their last group match. Vietnam edged Burma, 3-2, last Saturday.
Having beaten Malaysia, 3-0, in its opening match, the Filipinos came out confident against the Burmese side, taking their chances on the counterattack.
And their hopes were boosted by Joanna Houplin who converted a penalty in the 21st minute after she was fouled by Wai Wai Aung inside the area.
The Filipinos rode their luck for most of the half before the more cohesive Burmese turned on the style in the last 45 minutes, pouring four goals. Cedelf P. Tupas