The Philippine women's futsal team concluded their historic FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup campaign without a victory after falling to Argentina 1-5 in their final group stage match on Thursday evening, November 27, 2025, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Final Match Against World Powerhouse
World No. 6 Argentina demonstrated their championship pedigree early, scoring all five of their goals within the first seven minutes of the match. Despite the overwhelming start from the South American giants, the Philippine team known as the Filipina5 showed remarkable resilience by fighting back in the second half.
Isabella Bandoja provided the lone goal for the host nation, giving the home crowd something to celebrate in their final appearance of the tournament. After the match, Bandoja reflected on the team's performance with pride, stating they left everything on the court.
Team Effort Throughout Tournament
The Philippines had previously suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat to Morocco on November 24, with Inday Tolentin and Cathrine Graversen each contributing goals in that closely contested match. Their opening game saw them fall 0-6 to Poland, making the quarterfinal stage mathematically impossible before their final encounter with Argentina.
Despite the results, the Filipina5 approached their last Group A match with championship intensity, determined to represent their country with honor until the final whistle.
Overwhelming Home Support
The Philippine team drew energy from an enthusiastic home crowd that included notable figures such as Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, PSC Chair Patrick Gregorio, members of the Filipinas football squad, and Gilas Pilipinas women's basketball players and coaching staff.
Bandoja expressed how the overwhelming support impacted the team, describing the atmosphere as electrifying and noting that it felt like the entire Philippines had come to watch and cheer them on.
Argentina finished as Group A winners with a perfect nine points from three victories, while Morocco secured the second knockout round spot with six points after their 1-0 victory over Poland. Both the Philippines and Poland, who earned three points from one win and two losses, were eliminated at the group stage.
Building for the Future
While the Filipina5 may not have achieved the results they hoped for on the scoreboard, the tournament provided invaluable experience for the developing Philippine futsal program. The team demonstrated growth throughout the competition and earned respect for their never-say-die attitude.
Bandoja shared a message for the young fans who witnessed their matches, expressing hope that their performance would inspire the next generation of Filipino futsal players to dream big and continue pursuing their goals in the sport.
The historic participation in the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation, marks an important milestone for women's futsal in the country and provides a foundation for future development.
