The Philippine men’s national football team was terrific in the first 63 minutes of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Vietnam but lost, 2-3, to the two-time ASEAN champions on Thursday’s Group F fixture in Hanoi.
Twelve-year veteran Patrick Reichelt scored off his counterattacking sprint past Vietnamese defender Manh Do Duy and goalkeeper Dang Van Lam to keep the Philippines’ World Cup hopes alive in the 62nd minute.
Reichelt had scored his 16th international goal to be at second place with legend Chieffy Caligdong in the all-time national team scoring leader.
Reichelt’s go-ahead came after a splendid first half by the Philippines, which saw newcomers Zico Bailey, Dylan de Muynck, and vice-captain Reichelt strike dangerously near the goal.
“I think in the first half Vietnam was pushing in their ball possession but we were probably more dangerous in some counterattacks,” commented Philippine head coach Tom Saintfiet on the team’s first half performance.
However, a miscommunication in the Philippines’ back third led to an equalizer by an unmarked Nguyen Tienh Linh in the 65th minute as Filipino goalkeeper Neil Etheridge veered off his goal, anticipated an off-side call, and committed to Nguyen Van Toan on the left side, who issued the assist.
Nguyen completed his brace in the 76th minute with a header off a Phan Tan Tuai left cross to lead the game but veteran holding midfielder Kevin Ingreso tied the game in the 89th minute, scoring off a header pass by Jesper Nyholm in a set piece.
Vietnam ultimately won the game in the 90+5th minute, with substitute Pham Tuan Hai tapping the ball to the goal off Etheridge’s save.
“I think the best result for both should have been a draw. 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 after the game.
The veteran internationalist from Belgium promised that the team will “do our best” in the final group match against Indonesia on June 11 in Jakarta and has disclosed his plan of “finding new players to develop” and play friendly matches in the –ber months for the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Cup.
For his part, Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez said that “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.”
The Philippines though is not out of the 2027 Asian Cup as they will march to the third round of qualification starting in March 2025.
