PH Football team now hinges on final match vs Tajikistan
The Philippine men’s national football team kept its 2027 AFC Asian Cup hopes alive with a 2–0 victory over the Maldives on Tuesday, but missed the chance to control its own fate heading into the decisive final match of the qualifying round.
Despite goals from Jefferson Tabinas and Sandro Reyes in the first half at the National Football Stadium in Malé, the Azkals could not extend their lead — a missed opportunity that proved costly in the group standings.
While the Philippines improved to 13 points, it slipped to second place in Group A, level with Tajikistan but behind on goal difference after the Central Asians routed Timor-Leste, 5–0, in Darwin, Australia.
With Tajikistan taking top spot, the two nations will now face off in March 2026 for the group’s lone ticket to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The crucial showdown will be held on Tajikistan’s home turf, meaning the Philippines will need nothing less than a win to qualify for only the second time in history, the first being in 2019.
Tabinas opened the scoring in the 24th minute, rising for a header off a set piece to record his third goal of the third-round qualifiers and fifth in his international career.
Reyes doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, receiving a short cross from Jarvey Gayoso inside the box before executing a cutback and curling the ball into the far corner. It was Reyes’ fifth goal for the national team.
Despite controlling much of the match, the Azkals were unable to add more goals — a factor that ultimately kept them from holding the outright lead in the group.
Now, all roads lead to March 2026, where the Philippines must deliver its biggest performance yet to return to Asia’s grandest stage.
