CAPAS — The Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) narrowly missed a point against seven-time champion Thailand, 1-0, in their 2026 ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup Group B match at the New Clark City Stadium on Tuesday, August 4.
Waris Choolthong broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, heading in an unmarked finish off a left-wing cross from substitute Picha Autra, denying the Philippines a share of the points after 90 minutes of tightly contested football.
The Philippines matched Thailand for large stretches of the match, dealing the 2024 runner-up its tightest match in the tournament.
Goalkeeper Patrick Deyto, returning to the national team after the 2024 edition, produced several key saves, including stops on Seksan Ratree, Nattapong Sayriya, and Worachit Kanitsribumphen, while PMNFT created clear chances, the best of which came from an early shot on goal by Cole Mrowka (saved by Thai goalkeeper Kampon Phatomakkakul) and Javier Mariona’s running shot in the 41st minute that was cleared away in time by a sliding Wanchai Jarunongkran.
Veteran goalkeeper Patrick Deyto of Kaya-Iloilo FC impressed in his national team return after two years, notching five saves.
PFF President John Gutierrez praised the team’s effort despite the result.
“It is always sad to fall short, especially when the boys fought so valiantly for 90 minutes on home soil,” Gutierrez said. “Playing against a giant like Thailand was always going to demand our absolute best, and for large stretches of this match, we matched their intensity, played solid defense, and created some good scoring chances. A single moment of lapse in concentration ultimately made the difference tonight, and at this high level, top teams will seize those moments.”
“I am proud of the grit and character our team displayed despite numerous difficulties like player availability due to club commitments and the rainy weather,” he added. “We still have everything to play for in the final group match, and if we bring this same fight and refine our execution against Malaysia, I have full faith we can finish the group stage with a win.”
Head coach Carles Cuadrat noted that the team’s game plan nearly paid off.
“I think that the match plan was going accordingly to what we have been training on the pitch,” Cuadrat said. “It was a game of small margins, and everything looked like it would be a draw. But unfortunately, we made that mistake in the last minutes of the game.”
Kenji Nishioka (center), a Manila Digger veteran who debuted for the national team last June, has been a starting winger for three games in the Hyundai Cup.
Cuadrat also pointed to the tournament as a chance to test new players ahead of the Asian Games in Japan this September, with several squad members set to gain valuable experience in Asia’s biggest sporting meet.
With the loss, the Philippines sit fourth in Group B with three points from three matches, behind Thailand (9 points), Malaysia (6), and Myanmar (6).
The Philippines face Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on August 8 in the group stage finale. PFF invites all Filipinos based in Malaysia to come out and support the team as they look to close out the group stage on a high note.
