Philippine Malditas for the 2019 SEA Games.
As if facing tough opposition is not enough, the Philippine women’s football team has to deal with the lack of food just a day before its Southeast Asian Games campaign starts at Biñan Football Stadium.
The Malditas, looking to give the country its first medal in the event since 1985, open their bid against powerhouse Myanmar on Tuesday night with the winner clinching a semifinal berth.
The buildup to the match, however, has been far from ideal for coach Let Dimzon’s team was taken by surprise by the quality and quantity of the food served at their official hotel.
“I’m not sure what are the arrangements with the Phisgoc, but the quality and quantity of food is not enough,” Dimzon said at the pretournament press conference.
“This morning, there was not enough rice and kikiam and egg. There are no nutrients. This is an international competition, it should be international course. Maybe the budget of Phisgoc is not enough to cover better food.”
The food problem was just the latest challenge the women’s national football team faced. On Monday, the team lamented that it also met difficulties with accommodations.
Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Vietnam cruised to an emphatic 6-0 victory over Brunei, even as Malaysia and Myanmar battled to a 1-1 draw as competitions officially began in separate venues.
Striker Ha Duc Chinh fired four goals as the Vietnamese rolled to maximum points at the start of Group B play at Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna. Trieu Viet Hung and Nguen Trong Hung were also on the scoresheet as Vietnam imposed its class on a Brunei side that trailed just 0-2 at halftime.
Over at Rizal Memorial Stadium, 2017 SEA Games silver medalist Malaysia was left to rue a golden opportunity to take the Group A early lead after it was pegged back by a Myanmar side that came out strong at the start.
Soe Moe Kyaw headed home the opener in the 13th minute off a corner delivered by captain Hlaing Bo Bo.
But Malaysia, which lost to Thailand in the finals of the 2017 tournament in Kuala Lumpur, equalized 11 minutes later through Hadi Fayyadh.
Host Philippines was slated to play Cambodia in the evening match in Group A.
Upon receiving the report from the Malditas’ camp, Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta said the PFF released funds to augment the needs of the players.
“We’re trying our best to improve the situation,” Araneta told the Inquirer. “All the preparations of the team will only go to waste if their situation is not ideal during the actual tournament. We had to act on it quickly.”
The Malditas are seeking payback against Myanmar, which dealt them a 0-3 defeat in the third place battle in the AFF Women’s Championship a few months ago in Thailand. Defending champion Vietnam and powerhouse Thailand clash in the first match at 4 p.m. at Biñan Football Stadium.
But Dimzon said her team is looking to refocus as the Malditas face a tough climb to win a medal.
“We’re the host country, so we have to come up with a better performance on the field,” said the former national player.