HANGZHOU – A stinging 5-1 defeat in the hands of South Korea last Monday, September 25, is not the end of the road for the Philippine women’s football team in the 19th Asian Games here.

With an even 1-1 record following a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong and the huge loss to the 2018 Asian Games bronze medalists, the Filipinas still remain in contention. 

“May chance pa naman. May Myanmar game pa tayo (We still have a chance. We still have a Myanmar game,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano Araneta Tuesday morning. 

However, it’s not all in the hands of the Filipinas if they are to advance even if they beat world No. 51 Myanmar on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Wenzhou Sports Center Stadium.

There are five groups of three teams each, and only the top team in each group will advance outright. The three other slots in the quarterfinals will go to the top three among the remaining teams.

Mariano said it remains a must-win game against Myanmar. Then the Philippines, ranked No. 44, will have to wait for the final results of the other groups. PR