Phl nips Myanmar in AFC girls U-14

MANILA, Philippines - Continuing its dream run in the AFC U-14 Girls Regional Championship for Southeast Asia, the Philippines prevailed over Myanmar, 2-1, to barge into the finals yesterday at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Joyce Semacio struck in the 66th minute to deliver the marginal goal for the Pinay booters, who completed an ego-boosting come-from-behind semifinal win and moved into prime position to capture an elusive international crown for the country.

Phl will gun for the title tonight against the winner of the other semis duel between Thailand and host Vietnam.

The Burmese actually drew first blood, on a ninth-minute connection by Hnin Mya Thazin but the Pinay booters pulled even through a goal by Istuko Bacatan five minutes later.

They fought on equal terms the rest of the way before Semacio came through with the game-winner.

The Phl U-14 girls squad has been making waves in the tourney despite short preparations. They kicked off their campaign with a 6-0 rout of Singapore then followed this up with a huge 1-0 spanking of fancied holder and host Vietnam before capping their Group A assignments with a 5-0 annihilation of Cambodia to emerge as the top semifinalist in the bracket.

“Topping the group undefeated is a very impressive achievement. We are celebrating their victories like proud parents, and we wish them all the best in the final round,” said Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta.

“Despite their very young age, these girls are already showing the kind of fighting spirit that we want to see in all our national teams. This for sure, is a promising team that should be molded further, and developed fully, both as future senior national team players, and ambassadors of women’s football in the country,” he added