Photo credit: POC

The Filipinas delivered a moment for the history books after capturing the country’s first-ever SEA Games football gold, edging out defending champion Vietnam 6–5 in a sudden-death penalty shootout. The dramatic victory not only denied Vietnam a fifth straight title, it also ended the long-standing dominance of Vietnam and Thailand in women’s football.

That golden finish came as the Philippines continued to post a solid overall campaign at the SEA Games in Thailand.

As of 11 p.m. on December 17, Team Philippines sits sixth in the overall medal tally with 38 golds, 55 silvers, and 120 bronzes, for a total of 213 medals. Host nation Thailand leads the standings with a commanding 385 medals, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam.

While the numbers show a tightly contested regional battle, the football gold stands out as one of the defining moments of the Games for the Philippines—proof that the country is breaking barriers, not just collecting medals.

From the pitch to the podium, December 17 will be remembered as a night when Philippine sports didn’t just compete—but made history.