Camille Naredo

The Philippine men's football team reacts after their loss to Vietnam in the semifinals in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 15, 2025 at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. POC Media

The Philippine men's football team reacts after their loss to Vietnam in the semifinals in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 15, 2025 at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

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2025 Southeast Asian Games

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765863814501Fulltime Philippine vs Vietnam_Football-4428.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Philippine men&#x27;s football team reacts after their loss to Vietnam in the semifinals in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 15, 2025 at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. POC Media" width="960"/>The Philippine men&#x27;s football team reacts after their loss to Vietnam in the semifinals in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 15, 2025 at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. POC Media</div>The Philippine men&#x27;s under-22 squad is determined to regroup after a heartbreaking loss in the semifinal of men&#x27;s football in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.The Filipino booters went toe-to-toe with Vietnam for nearly 90 minutes before allowing two late goals that ended their hopes of playing for a gold medal.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/12/15/seag-vietnam-deals-ph-heartbreaking-loss-in-men-s-football-1831">READ: Vietnam deals PH heartbreaking loss in men&#x27;s football</a></div>Not all is lost for the team, however, as they can still make it to the podium.The Filipino booters play Malaysia in the bronze medal match on Thursday -- and a win will give them their best-ever showing in the SEA Games.&quot;This (semis loss) hurts because this means everything, to the players and to the country. You could see the emotion, they gave every last ounce of energy, mentally and physically,&quot; said coach Garrath McPherson after their 0-2 defeat on Monday night.&quot;This group has strong character. We’ll reflect on how close we came, but we don’t stop here. The day after, we march forward, one foot in front of the other, keep moving forward, keep growing, towards the bronze medal match,&quot; he added.Malaysia, for its part, lost 0-1 to host Thailand in their own semifinal.The Philippine booters are in this deep stage of the competition for only the second time in their SEAG participation. The first was in 1991 in Manila, where a legendary team led by Norman Fegidero fought for the bronze but lost to Singapore, 0-2, to settle for fourth.

The Philippine men's under-22 squad is determined to regroup after a heartbreaking loss in the semifinal of men's football in the #2025SEAGames.

The Philippine men's under-22 squad is determined to regroup after a heartbreaking loss in the semifinal of men's football in the #2025SEAGames.

SEAG: After heartbreak against Vietnam, PH booters eye bronze

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SEAG: After heartbreak against Vietnam, PH booters eye bronze

ABS-CBN News

Published December 16, 2025 01:45 PM PHT

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Philippine men's national football team

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2025 SEA Games

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