Filipina5 on inspiring World Cup finish vs. Argentina: 'Go for your dreams'

Filipina5 celebrated Isabella Bandoja's goal against Argentina in the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup. (Photo: PFF/Facebook)

The Philippine women's national futsal team stood before their Filipino fans in the bleachers of the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, November 27. For the last time, they performed overhead claps in unison, with big drums being beaten. It ended with applause and cheers from both sides – a show of an unbreakable bond beyond the final score.

The Filipina5 just wrapped up their 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup campaign moments ago with a 5-1 defeat at the hands of world no. 6 Argentina. They lost all three Group A matches in the inaugural tournament for the best women’s futsal players globally, ending their campaign winless.

The early exit, however, was within expectations for those who closely followed the team’s buildup to the World Cup. They knew the challenges this team faced. Internal conflict and power struggles between the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and futsal stakeholders disrupted preparations. This stemmed from the federation’s unilateral realignment of Dutch tactician Vic Hermans in the men’s national futsal team. While the controversy eventually subsided, it highlighted the obstacles facing futsal’s holistic development in the Philippines.

I want all the younger kids and younger generations to know that if you have a dream, just go for it. You're never too young. Don't wait, just go for your dreams. – Samatha Hughes, Filipina5 goalkeeper

For the Filipinos who showed up at the games, representation on football’s grandest stage mattered most.

“It’s a story of a futsal community stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight, inspiring young players across the country,” said football journalist Venice Furio in a blog. “For those watching in the stands or at home, it sends a clear message: no matter your background, your dreams are valid, your hard work matters, and football – or futsal – can be a path to something bigger than just a game.”

Throughout the competition, the 14 women representing the Philippines gave fans reason to look forward to the future of futsal in the country.

“This is the very first [FIFA Futsal Women’s] World Cup, so I think that we have a lot of exposure to what high level is, and I think that's a very good way to grow as a team and also for futsal in the Philippines. I hope that after this, it continues to grow even more and that more people will want to play futsal and love this sport,” substitute Philippine goalkeeper Kayla Santiago told Filipinas Futbol in the mixed zone.

She and the rest of the Filipina5’s spirited second-half performance against Argentina showed they could compete at the highest level. They held La Albiceleste scoreless in the second half after conceding five goals in the opening 20 minutes. Past the 27-minute mark, their shining moment came in transition.

After team captain Isabella Flannigan blocked Carina Nunez’s strike, the deflected ball went straight to Bandoja’s feet. She spearheaded the counterattack with Alisha del Campo on her left, also running. Calm and composed, the Tuloy FC standout sent her countrymen into a frenzy with a left-footed finish against goalkeeper Silvina Espinazo.

It wasn’t just a consolation goal for the raucous crowd, who stayed loud until the final buzzer despite their team being down by a large margin. It became a symbol of hope for those who dare to dream like Bandoja.

“I feel like I wanted to score. Even if it’s just one, I wanted us to score. That’s all that’s on my mind when I was holding the ball. And then, I was able to score. For me, it’s very special. It’s the World Cup. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said the Libmanan, Camarines Sur native in Filipino in the mixed zone, as quoted in a PFF media release.

Like the trailblazing Filipinas in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Filipina5 left their own mark on the global stage. While playing different sports, both showed that the fight goes on regardless of the outcome. That learning should never stop for winners and losers, and it takes only one step to start a long journey ahead.

“You're never too young to dream big. And you're never too young to chase your dreams,” said starting keeper Samantha Hughes. “I'm only 17. I still have lots of years to go, hopefully. But I want all the younger kids and younger generations to know that if you have a dream, just go for it. You're never too young. Don't wait, just go for your dreams.”

The dream continues for the Filipina5 come December when they compete in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.