The under-20 Philippine men’s national football team (U20 PMNT) ended their 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualification Tournament Group H with a convincing 4-0 blanking of Brunei on Sunday in Buriram, Thailand.
The win, marked by the Philippines’ dominance in terms of possession and scoring chances, has ended the U20 PMNT’s campaign on a high note, finishing with three points on a -3 goal difference, which matches its 2022 qualis performance.
The team came strong in their last match after showing grit against World Cup vet Iraq with a 0-2 loss, and 0-5 to ASEAN powerhouse Thailand in previous matches.
Starting striker Otu Banatao scored an early goal, sinking a diving header in the fourth minute off an outswinging right cross from Ethan Smith.
The Philippines then started the second half on fire, with Cyrelle James Saut goaling on the third ball in the 50th minute, followed by a powerful 30-yard strike by Bacchus Ekberg two minutes later.
On the defensive side, goalkeeper Cesar Castro had a nifty save on an open strike by Muhammad Al-Kholil in the 68th minute, which was Brunei’s only shot in the game.
Rodrigo Mariñas finished the job in the 89th minute, with a header goal off a Jhon Diaz right corner kick.
“This is an impressive finish for our boys. They deserve this win, considering they had grueling fixtures against the reigning ASEAN runner-up and a recent World cup finalist,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez.
Gutierrez, however, singled out the Philippines’ narrow loss to Iraq last Friday as a “revelation” about the “world class grit and quality of the under-20 team.”
“In the Iraq game, the boys were not intimidated against a perennial World Cup country. They held their defense bravely and showed they can penetrate a strong opponent,” Gutierrez continued.
Iraq, heavy favorite in this match after a 15-0 rout of Brunei, nearly conceded a penalty in the Philippines’ first possession, with Layth Dheyaa Mahmoud getting away with an arm pull on an attacking Ehtan Smith inside the penalty area.
The Philippines unfortunately conceded an early penalty when Alexander Santos fouled skipper Amoori Faisal in the ninth minute, which the latter converted into a goal.
The Philippines though stepped up on defense, forcing Iraq to shoot several off target shots before halftime.
Eager not to lose the game, the Philippines gained better possessions and attacking chances early in the second half, as midfielder Justin Ogur had a shot on goal in the 49th minute that was blocked by Muslim Mousa Al-Hamadani.
A few minutes later, Jhon Diaz tried an Olympico from a right corner kick that was deflected by an Iraqi header.
Second-string keeper Luc Narido also showed his defensive wares with a double save in the 57th minute.
Iraq, however, added another goal with Sidad Haji Nori striking off a two-man passing game with Karrar Jaafar Gatea, in the 64th minute.
“To play that way against a much stronger team, despite coming from a big loss against Thailand, revealed the world class grit and quality of our under-20 team,” Gutierrez commented.
Last Wednesday, the Philippines opened their campaign with a 0-5 loss to Thailand–a game where teenage Buriram forward Caelum Ryan scored a hat-trick in the first half.
“Our team received bashing because of that result. Nonetheless, it only fueled them to perform better against Iraq, which they did,” Gutierrez continued.
“The tough competition in Group H showed us the strong potential of our u20 youth to match with the world’s best. We should not underestimate our U20. Their recent showing must inspire all stakeholders, fans, and pundits to support our youth teams. Our congratulations and gratitude goes to all our players and their parents, our delegation headed by PFF Director of Football Vince Santos, our coaching staff led by PFF Technical Director Josep Ferre, and the team management and staff led by Patrick Valenzuela for a job well done,” Gutierrez concluded.
