The Philippine men’s national football team (PMNFT) struggled on a waterlogged turf, opening its campaign in the 2026 ASEAN Championship – Hyundai Cup with a tough 4-1 loss to Myanmar in Group B action at the New Clark City Stadium on Tuesday, July 28.
Myanmar, which fell 2-1 to Malaysia in its tournament opener last Saturday, moved up to second place in the group standings with the win.
This was also a bounce back win for Myanmar after losing big, 5-1, against the Philippines in last month’s Trination Friendlies at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Than Paing scored twice for Myanmar, while Kyaw Min Oo and Win Naing Tun also found the net. Jarvey Gayoso scored the lone goal for the Philippines, to the delight of the 3,000 fans who braved the torrential rain.
Myanmar scored early in the game that kicked off right after a heavy downpour in Capas, Tarlac, with Kyaw Min Oo heading in the rebound off Soe Moe Kyaw’s header that had struck the crossbar from a corner kick.
Pocholo Bugas struggled with an erratic ball over a waterlogged pitch resulting from a heavy downpour in Capas, Tarlac.
Than Paing doubled the lead in the 28th minute with a running finish past the defense of Daisuke Sato and Noah Leddel, off Mg Mg Lwin’s through ball from midfield.
A penalty was awarded to the Philippines in the 32nd minute after Lwin fouled Gayoso inside the box, but the call was overturned following a VAR review in the 36th minute.
The Philippines pulled one back in the 68th minute, with Gayoso converting inside the box after being played through by Javier Mariona for his sixth international goal.
Jarvey Gayoso shot the Philippines’ lone goal in the 68th minute.
Myanmar restored its two-goal cushion in the 82nd minute through Win Naing Tun, before Paing completed his brace in the 84th minute off a left-sided cross from Myat Kaung Khant.
Myanmar head coach Jorn Andersen credited his side’s directness and resolve, noting that the team created eight scoring chances and converted on several of them after a difficult result against Malaysia. He said heavy rain 45 minutes before kickoff affected the pitch but that his players adapted well once play resumed.
Player of the Match Than Paing said the team’s belief in each other and their coach’s motivation carried them through both matches of the window.
Philippines head coach Carles Cuadrat called the match a learning experience for a young squad still adjusting to the physical and tactical demands of international competition.
He said the team struggled to manage the pitch conditions in the first half, allowing Myanmar to exploit turnovers on the right side, but noted improved combination play once the surface improved. He pointed to gaps in set-piece defending and a lapse on a free kick that led to a Myanmar counterattack as key moments in the match.
Cuadrat added the coaching staff used the tournament to test players from the under-23 pool and the Philippines Football League ahead of the Asian Games in September, and pointed to the substitute appearances of Kenji Nishioka, Rocket Ritata, Martini Rey, and Andres Aldeguer as valuable senior-level experience for the team’s younger players.
The Philippines will next face Laos in Group B play, with Cuadrat citing the team’s remaining nine points as an opportunity to build on the performance.
