Bjorn Martin Kristensen sizzled in Darwin, Australia, leading the Philippine men’s national football team (PMNFT) in securing its seventh point in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers (ACQ), defeating Timor-Leste, 4-1, on Thursday at the Territory Rugby League Stadium.
“The Philippines played a great game against Timor-Leste tonight and the four goals scored will put extra pressure on Tajikistan. All goals count now that we’re at the halfway point of the qualifiers as we are inching closer to our aim of re-entering the Asian Cup,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez
“With this win, we are primed for a great show on October 14. Our team is hungry to join the Asian Cup again and they are eager to score more goals, not only to qualify but to bring joy to our home fans,” he added.
The Filipino-Norwegian forward scored all Philippine goals as the Philippines now leads the Qualifying Group A with seven points and a +6 goal difference. Kristensen opened his haul in the 15th minute, scoring off the rebound of his own miss and piercing the defense of goalkeeper Georgino Da Silva for the first time. Kristensen then had a magnificent solo run from the back of the centerline, beating the Timor-Leste defense for his second goal in the 31st minute.
Timorese captain Gali Freitas, though, sparked hope for the lower-ranked side, scoring also on a solo run from midfield and beating the defense of Kevin Ray Mendoza and Josef Baccay in the 46th minute to inch closer by just a goal.
Kristensen, however, earned his hattrick two minutes later, heading in his rebound off Da Silva’s tap of Anizo Correia’s clearance of Dylan DeMuynck’s cross.
The finisher came in the 56th minute as Kristensen completed his haul by striking off Sandro Reyes’ long through ball in the counterattack.
“It’s always good to score goals. Four goals doesn’t happen every game, so I have to take this moment and enjoy it. And tomorrow, we have to prepare again. The team is doing good. We have a big squad with us now, and you can see we changed a lot. So I think we will be prepared,” said Kristensen, who was named Player of the Match.
Following the match, Head Coach Carles Cuadrat commented on the team’s performance and mindset, “We knew this wouldn’t be an easy match, and it required a lot of intensity to secure the victory. I’m very happy with the team and the effort the guys put in; they fought hard to win duels and one-on-one battles, which worked well. To see the team truly willing to win despite long travel and some minor injuries makes me very proud of the guys.”
He continued, “It was very important for us that after they scored, we immediately understood we had to go for the third and even the fourth goal, and it happened. The most important thing is that the players took the situation very seriously, but it also serves as a reminder that we cannot relax, as conceding a goal right at the start of the second half is something we have to improve.”
With this, PFF invites Filipino football fans to watch the rematch of the Philippines and Timor-Leste on October 14, 7 PM, at the New Clark City Football Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Tickets are available via pff.ticketmax.ph and free bus rides can be secured on this link.
