The Philippines made a historic win at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) after beating Vietnam in women’s football and earning gold on Wednesday, December 17, at Thailand’s Chonburi Stadium.
In a 6-5 victory, the country’s first-ever in the history of the SEA Games, the Philippines ended Vietnam’s four-year reign as the champion in women’s football after goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel successfully saved an effort by defender Trần Thị Thu during a penalty shoot-out.
First organized in 1980, the women’s national football team also made history in 2023 when they qualified for and debuted at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a feat their male counterparts in the national football team have yet to achieve at the FIFA World Cup. There, the Filipinas lost 6-0 to Norway.
The women’s national football team’s win at the 2025 SEA Games contributes to a total of 38 gold medals won so far. Other notable Filipino gold medalists this year include Aleah Finnegan for women’s artistic gymnastics, EJ Obiena for men’s pole vault, tennis player Alex Eala for women’s singles, and 11-year-old Mazel Paris Alegado for women’s skateboarding.
Elizabeth Amador, another 11-year-old, won a silver medal in skateboarding as well. Finnegan also bagged a bronze medal in the women’s balance beam category, along with Nesthy Petecio and Hergie Bacyadan in women’s boxing, and Eala for tennis games in the mixed doubles and women’s team categories. With two days left at the SEA Games, the Philippines has so far won a total of 218 medals this year.
