The Philippine women's national football team ahead of their match against Myanmar in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 5, 2025 at the IPE Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand. PFF/PWNFT
(UPDATED) The Philippine women's national football team absorbed a painful 2-1 loss to Myanmar in their first game of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, Friday at the IPE Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand.
A late goal by May Htet Lu broke the hearts of the Filipinos, who were also unlucky to lose young striker Nina Mathelus to an injury.
Myanmar went ahead early, with skipper Win Theingi Tun pouncing on a poor clearance from the Filipinas' backline to beat Olivia McDaniel with a rocket to the top corner in just the fifth minute.
The Philippines was arguably the better team for the rest of the first half, but they struggled to convert their chances. Meryll Serrano had a header go over the crossbar in the 25th minute, and a cross by Jael Guy was out of reach for Janae DeFazio at the stroke of the half.
The Filipinas' aggression finally paid off in the 69th minute, when Myanmar's goalkeeper Myo Mya Mya Nyein fumbled a save off a header by Jessika Cowart. Mallie Ramirez was there for the rebound, putting the match back on even terms, 1-1.
Mallie Ramirez of the Philippines celebrates after scoring against Myanmar in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 5, 2025 at the IPE Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand. PFF/PWNFT
There were plenty of opportunities for the Filipinas to go ahead, none better than when Alexa Pino beat her defender for a superb solo effort in the 75th minute. The Burmese goalkeeper was up to the task, however, and she pulled off a double-save when Guy tried to turn in the rebound.
The momentum shifted against the Philippines in the 86th minute, when the 17-year-old Mathelus appeared to suffer an injury and had to be helped off the field.
Three minutes later, Myanmar went on the counter and May converted a free header to give her team the lead once more.
The Filipinas still had a couple of chances, twice winning free kicks deep in their own half, but the Myanmar defense stood tall.
The result puts the Filipinas in a tough situation when they play Vietnam on Monday at the Chonburi Stadium. Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage.