Philippines Football Thread II[R]

FT Philippines 1-0 Tajikistan

Nice win by the Philippines on a goal by Noah Leddel assisted by their captain Sandro Reyes.

They need to win big over Nepal in their last game, or an upset by Tajikistan over Syria to win the group and guarantee advancing to the AFC U23 Cup. Otherwise they hope other group's 2nd place standings turn their way so they can be one of 4 best placed second teams that will advance as well.

 

Tajikistan vs Philippines | All Goals & Highlights | 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification 6-9-2025

 

• Banatao 33'
• Mariona 39' (pen.)
• Cariño 81'
• Reyes 85'

The Philippines finished in 2nd place in Grp K with 6 points and a +4 goal differential which wasn't enough to make them among the 4th best 2nd placers and therefore did not qualify for the finals.

 

Despite not qualifying for the AFC U23 Cup finals, the current version of U23 players has improved a lot from previous editions.

First Semifinalist of the Mandiri Cup(AFF U23 Championship)
Significant finishing improvement in U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

They have one more chance to earn hardware later this year at the SEA Games. I think they hav a chance to have a podium finish in that tournament if they have all this players available for call up later during the year. They added a few more pro players who have professional experience abroad to the squad compared to the Mandiri Cup. If they keep on doing that they will even do better than what they achieved in the AFF U23 Championship.

 

Oct 9, 2025
Timor-Leste vs Philippines
Oct 14, 2025
Philippines vs Timor-Leste

 

Bjorn Kristensen scored all 4 goals for the Philippines. He now has 12 goals in 14 games to make #6 on the top goalscorers in Philippine men's national football historym with a goals per game ratio second only to former FC Barcelona great and former Barcelona goalscoring leader (whose record Messi broke) Paulino Alcantara.

 

Philippines vs Timor Leste HIGHLIGHTS! AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers - YouTube

 

FT Philippines 3-1

Goals by Kristensen, Tabinas and Gayoso.

This is Kristensen's 13th goal in 15 matches all within the past year after he first played for the team and tied for 4th overall all time among national team goalscorers. He is also the leading scorer in the Asian Cup qualifiers with 8 goals overall.

 

FT Philippines 2-0 Myanmar

Great start for the Philippines. A win next over Indonesia guarantees a slot in the semis.

 

Philippines U22 win it's first 2 games in their group, a 2-0 win over Myanmar U22 and a 1-0 win over defending champion Indonesia U22 to make the semifinals of the SEA Games for the first time since 1991.

 

Notably, the Philippines’ entry into the semifinals marks the first time in this millennium that the country has reached the final four in both the men’s and women’s football tournaments at the SEA Games.

 

The squad list for the final game of the third round AFC Asian Cup qualifiers where they need to win over Tajikistan on the road.



Nice to see Bundesliga 2 veteran Obermair finally making the club. The forward position is stacked with former 1 Bundesliga veteran Holtmann, proven goalscorer Kristensen (13 goals in 16 international caps) and now quality Bundesliga veteran Obermair making his debut for the Philippines.

I wished they would call up their former captain and EPL veteran goaltender Neil Etheridge though considering his scintillating form in the AFC Champion's League despite his age (36).

 

Gerritt Holtmann experienced knee discomfort during training and will be unable to play in the game against Tajikistan.

 

Yup FT 1-1 draw wasn't enough to make the Asian Cup because of goal differential. Hopefully our Fil Euro pros and prospects don't get discouraged including the Markanich and Wolf bros.