The Philippine Women’s National Football Team was poised for a monumental upset on Latin American soil but world number 37 Costa Rica escaped with a 2-1 win Wednesday midnight (Manila time) at San Jose in the final friendly game between the two squads.

After a missed penalty kick by team captain Tahnai Annis in the 48th minute that could have upped the Filipinas’ lead by two, Costa Rican star forward Raquel Rodriguez sank her own spot kick in the 61st minute.

The Portland Thorns standout earned the freebie and her 44th international goal off a handball by defensive midfielder Jessica Cowart inside the penalty box to level the score at 1-1.

The Las Ticas aggressively responded for the winner in the 68th minute as midfielder Gloriana Villalobos sank a looper from the top left flank for her seventh international goal.

The Filipinas gave Costa Rica another scare early in the game, scoring first with a last minute running goal by young forward Carleigh Frilles to close the first half.

The goal came off an interception by Isabella Flanigan of Michelle Montero’s back kick, assisting an on-side Frilles, who dashed toward a one-on-one against goalkeeper Daniela Solera for her ninth international goal.

The Filipinas’ only clear chance at tying the game came in the 79th minute off a corner kick play but Solera was able to block a point blank strike by Cowart, staving off any last minute attempt by the Filipinas.

Two key Filipina standouts—midfielders Quinley Quezada and Sara Eggesvik—got injured during the game.

The Filipinas are expected to return to international play in November, with friendlies reportedly against Jamaica and Uzbekistan.

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