PH women's futsal team Pinay 5 yields to mighty Thais

The Philippine women’s national futsal team Pinay 5 suffered a huge 7-0 blowout as world No. 6 Thailand flexed its might in the ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship on Sunday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. 

Coming off a spirited debut against Myanmar that ended at a stalemate a day prior, the Philippines was held scoreless in front of the best Asian team in the lopsided affair. 

The Thais, who inaugurated the tournament with a lone goal from Darika Peanpailun against Indonesia on Saturday, displayed efficiency against the home bets as Sangrawee Mekhan opened the scoring this time to eventually finish with a brace. 

After scoring the only goal in Thailand’s opening match against Indonesia, Paenpailun showed the way at the 17th minute mark of the match as four other teammates in Sawitree Mamyalee, Paerploy Huajaipetch, Hataichanok Tappakun, and Nattamon Artkla followed suit and found the back of the net in the total domination. 

Meanwhile, Isabella Bandoja and Agot Danton couldn’t connect for even a consultation goal as the Filipina booters dropped to the fourth spot in two assignments with a single point and a -7 goal difference (GD). 

Thailand continued to sit at the top of the standings with six points along with +8 GD to stay perfect with a clean sheet.  

In the earlier play, Vietnam made its first appearance in the tournament with a convincing 5-2 win of its own against Myanmar. 

The Vietnamese side secured three points behind Thailand, with Myanmar in third place with just one point. 

After a mixed bag of performances, the Philippines will have a one-day lull to regroup and recalibrate before it takes on another brutal foe in Vietnam on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the same venue.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News