Manila, Dec. 18 -- The Philippines has accomplished its mission of winning the Southeast Asian Games women's football gold medal after a stunning 6-5 victory over powerhouse Vietnam in the final on Wednesday night at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium in Thailand.

"I'm so proud of this team, so proud to be a Filipino and playing for our country," said goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel after the match.

"People are doubting us, saying we don't belong here. But we belong in this conversation, we belong at the top, and we're just continuing to prove ourselves again and again, and we want to be regulars at the top," she added.

The Philippines became the third country to win the gold medal after eight-time champion Vietnam and five-time winner Thailand. ...