PH seeks key win to avoid AFF cellar

Shai del Campo celebrates the Philippines’ only goal against Vietnam. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Philippines at press time was looking to stretch its campaign in the AFF (Asean Football Federation) Women’s Futsal Championship towards the final day after being forced into survival mode in its previous match.

Tuesday’s 6-1 loss to highly-ranked Vietnam at Philsports Arena in Pasig City left the Pinay5 in a situation where they must produce at least a draw against Indonesia to advance into the bronze medal match against the same team.

Another defeat and the team handled by Dutch coach Vic Hermans will finish dead last in the competition that serves as early preparation for next year’s Fifa Women’s Futsal World Cup which the Philippines is also hosting.

Prior to Wednesday’s contest with Indonesia, the Philippines only has a point to show courtesy of a 2-2 tie against Myanmar in Saturday’s opener, before dropping two in a row.

Close at the start

After a 7-0 defeat at the hands of world No. 6 Thailand, the Pinay5 gave themselves a fighting chance against Vietnam, sitting 11th in the Fifa rankings, when they kept the game scoreless until conceding an opener with seven minutes left before halftime on Tran Thi Lan Mai’s opener.

Le Thi Thanh Ngan doubled Vietnam’s lead early in the second half, before the Philippines pulled one back when Shai del Campo scored to the delight of the partisan audience.

But it proved to be the lone bright spot for the Pinay5 as Lan Mai’s second goal was followed by three more as Vietnam settled the outcome.

The scoreline also left the Philippines with no other recourse but to draw or beat Indonesia since Myanmar, which already ended the eliminations with only one point in four matches, has a superior goal difference than the host nation.

Meanwhile, Thailand and Vietnam, with 3-0 records going into their elimination phase-closing match, will face off for the title Thursday evening following the contest for third.