The Philippine Men’s National Football Team had plenty of shots to keep their slim 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive. It ultimately slipped in the final minutes of the match against Vietnam.
The Philippines was hoping for a second Miracle in Hanoi on Thursday night. The Filipinos got another heartbreak instead.
On Wednesday, Philippine Men’s National Football Team defender Christian Rontini expected a “50-50 game” against Vietnam.
But coach Tom Saintfiet declared, “We don’t play for a draw or for a loss, we play only to win.”
They could accept nothing short of a win to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers.
By the end of Thursday night, Saintfiet would have accepted anything but a loss.
“I think the best result for both should have been a draw,” he said after the match, as reported by the Philippine Football Federation.
The Philippines got the first goal at 1-0, managed to secure a 2-2 equalizer at the 89th minute, but ultimately slipped in stoppage time. Vietnam defended home turf, 3-2.
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“I am very disappointed in the game but naturally Vietnam is a good team but I am also very satisfied with the performance of my team and I think the boys deserve a draw. But Vietnam won and we have to learn from this,” Saintfiet said.
There was some silver lining to be found though.
For one thing, the Philippines had good looks at the net in the first half from newcomers Zico Bailey and Dylan de Munyck, as well as vice-captain Patrick Reichelt–who eventually found his mark in the 62nd minute.
“I think in the first half Vietnam was pushing in their ball possession but we were probably more dangerous in some counterattacks,” Saintfiet noted.
There is also plenty of new energy injected to the PMNFT, as shown by Zico Bailey.
“The Philippine men’s side has gained quality recruits and the five newcomers in tonight’s game have proven their worth in the national team,” said Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez.
This is by no means a complete stop for the men though.
Saintfiet vows the team will do their best against Indonesia in the final group match on June 11 in Jakarta.
He also bared to PFF plans of “finding new players to develop” and play friendly matches in the ber months for the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Cup.
Plus, there’s still the 2027 Asian Cup, with the third round of qualifiers starting in March 2025.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has closed, but the PMNFT still has plenty of paths they can take.