Malditas miss semis with loss to Burmese

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Malditas fell to host Myanmar, 1-5, to bow out of the semis picture in the Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship Saturday night at the Youth Training Center in Yangon.

Joana Houplin accounted for the lone goal for the Filipinas, who absorbed their second straight setback in Group B after a 1-4 loss to Japan Under-23 two days ago. Phl had posted a single win (6-0 over Indonesia) for three points. 

The Burmese hiked their tally to six points behind Japan U23, which shut out Indonesia, 8-0.

Houplin pounced on a defensive error to  put one in at the 75th minute, but that was made only after Myanmar already found the back of the net four times.

Moe Moe Mar put Myanmar into the scoreboard just two minutes into the match with a freekick into the far post past Phl custodian Inna Palacios. Khin Moe Wai slammed it home from the left in the 31st then connected off a cross from Than Than Htwe 15 minutes later to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at half time. 

Yee Yee Oo made it 4-0 at the 53rd before Houplin pulled the Malditas back a goal. Moe completed a hat trick five minutes before the end as Myanmar booked their second straight win.

“I apologize on behalf of the whole team. Myanmar was the better team today. ,” said Malditas coach Ernie Nierras.