Filipinas bow to Thais in AFC U14 Regionals

The Philippine Girls National Under-14 Football Team lost to Thailand, 1-0, in the finals match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U14 Girls Regional Championship at the Chao Anouvong Stadium in Vientiane, Laos on Sunday.

The team—undefeated prior to the meeting—was unable to clinch the title and finish off their inspiring run in the regional youth-level girls football tilt.

Consequently, the loss marked the squad’s second runner-up finish in the AFC U14 girls tournament after similarly bowing to the Thais, 2-1, in 2014.

During the match, the young Pinays knocked on the door of the Thais in the opening moments of the game but failed to convert and take the early lead.

On the other hand, Thailand managed to take the lead and sunk the only goal of the match in the 19th minute courtesy of the strike Phattharanit Duangkaew.

With time winding down in the game, the Philippines pushed hard to find the equalizing shot and send the game to added time but they were denied by the defense of their foes.

In the elimination round, the Philippines blazed through their opposition in Group A, finishing the stage with a record of two wins and a draw in three games.

The Filipinas opened the competition with a emphatic 3-1 win over hosts Laos through a late-game outburst in the remaining 15 minutes of the game. Maria Lazo, Katelyn Alexander and Carleigh Frilles registered the goals for the Philippines in their win over the hosts.

Also, they managed to hold regional rivals Thailand to a 2-2 draw in their second match through the brace of Fil-Am standout Katelyn Alexander.

The upcoming stars of the local girls football circuit defeated Cambodia, 1-0, in their penultimate group stage match off the lone strike by Trinity Wambolt in the 44th minute.

In the semifinals, Carliegh Frilles headlined for the country in their 5-1 rout of Myanmar with a hat trick performance in the second half to seal their berth to the championship round. —Rodolfo Francisco/LBG, GMA News