VIENTIANE — The Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) reignited its 2026 ASEAN Championship – Hyundai Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 comeback victory over Laos on Saturday at the National Stadium in Vientiane.
Responding emphatically after a 1-4 defeat to Myanmar last Tuesday, the Philippines overturned a halftime deficit with four unanswered goals in the second half to earn its first win of the tournament.
“After the painful 1-4 result against Myanmar at home, showing this level of resolve against Laos was a true test of our team’s character and fight. Trailing 1-0 at halftime after a difficult opening 45 minutes, our boys could have let the pressure get the better of them. Instead, they stepped onto the pitch for the second half and scored four goals with relentless energy, tactical discipline, and pure heart,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez.
“Reclaiming control of the match and grinding out a crucial bounce-back win speaks volumes about the mental toughness of this group when their backs are against the wall,” he added. “The days following the Myanmar match were not easy, but the players, coaches, and support staff stayed together, worked even harder in training, learned from the defeat, and responded the way a united team should. That is the kind of resilience that builds successful football teams,” Gutierrez added.
PMNFT celebrates Jarvey Gayoso’s penalty goal in the 60th minute.
He also emphasized the unique challenges surrounding the Hyundai Cup, which is being played outside the FIFA International Match Calendar.
“The Hyundai Cup is not played during a FIFA international window. Despite the Philippine Football Federation’s best efforts to appeal to international clubs to release our players, not everyone was available for national team duty because of their club commitments. That is the reality not only for the Philippines but for many teams in this competition.
Despite those challenges, we assembled the strongest squad available, and we are incredibly proud of every player who answered the call to represent our country. We believe in this team, and we support them one hundred percent—win or lose. They have our full confidence because we know the commitment, sacrifice, and pride they bring every time they play for country.”
Gutierrez likewise reminded supporters that the continued development of Philippine football should be viewed through a long-term perspective.
“Every football nation experiences victories and defeats. What matters is how a team responds, how it continues to improve, and how it grows over time. This victory is an important response, but it is also another step in our journey of building a stronger Philippine national team for the future.”
The PFF President also expressed his appreciation to Filipino fans for expressing their support for the team.
“We are deeply grateful to every Filipino who continues to support our national team. To those who celebrated with us, thank you. To those who criticize us, we know those emotions come from your passion and your desire to see Philippine football succeed. But football is also about respect. The only way to move Philippine football forward is if we all work together with respect, united by the beautiful game we all love.”
The result lifts the Philippines to three points in Group B with an even goal difference and equals the country’s biggest-ever winning margin over Laos in the ASEAN Championship, matching the 4-1 victory recorded during the 2014 edition in Hanoi.
“The main target was to win and to stay in the competition and we did that and move on. So congratulations to the team,” said team manager Patrick Reichelt, who scored a brace in that 2014 victory over Laos.
Head coach Carles Cuadrat likewise praised the response of his players.
“The boys responded well, understood what we needed in the second half and showed the right character to find a way to get the result,” said Cuadrat.
The hosts stunned the Philippines early when Damoth Thongkhamsavath capitalized on a loose ball following an initial save by goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad to give Laos a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute.
The setback, however, was quickly offset by a major turning point.
Five minutes later, Laos was reduced to 10 men after Phetdavanh Somsanith was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Jarvey Gayoso in midfield.
Despite enjoying the numerical advantage, the Philippines struggled to find the equalizer before halftime.
Kenji Nishioka forced multiple saves from goalkeeper Kop Lokphathip, while his headed finish from Gavin Muens’ cross in the 26th minute was ruled out for offside following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
Daisuke Sato also came close with a header from Sandro Reyes’ corner, while Nishioka narrowly missed with a powerful strike deep into first-half stoppage time.
The Philippines emerged from the break with renewed purpose and immediately seized control of the match.
Fullback John Lucero, a mainstay of the Asian Games-bound Under-23 squad, leveled the score just two minutes into the second half after finishing Scott Woods’ pass following Kop Lokphathip’s initial clearance for his first senior international goal.
Five minutes later, relentless pressure from the Philippine attack forced Laos into an own goal when Viengxay Sidavong inadvertently turned Cole Mrowka’s shot into his own net after a quick transition initiated by Javier Mariona.
Wing dynamo Javier Mariona sparked the play that led to PMNFT’s go-ahead goal in the 52nd minute. The Philippines did not concede since, adding two more goals to bury Laos.
The visitors extended their advantage in the 60th minute after Jarvey Gayoso calmly converted from the penalty spot for his seventh international goal. The penalty was awarded after VAR confirmed Phoutthavong Sangvilay handled Gayoso’s shot inside the penalty area.
Team captain Daisuke Sato completed the scoring in the 88th minute, heading home Nishioka’s perfectly delivered free kick from the left flank for his fourth international goal to cap a dominant second-half display.
Nishioka credited the team’s halftime adjustments for turning the match around.
“After the goal conceded we were able to come back, we were able to fix the things that needed to be fixed. In the second half we used both spaces between the midfield and the opponent so we got nice areas. Those areas we maximized so that we break through the defense line of Laos,” said Nishioka.
The Philippine Men’s National Football Team now returns home for another crucial Group B encounter against Thailand on Tuesday, August 4, at 9:00 p.m. at New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Fans are encouraged to continue rallying behind the national team and to follow the Philippine Football Federation on Facebook and Instagram for match updates, ticket information, and transport details.
