Future is Bright as Philippine Men’s National Football Team Ends Merdeka Cup in Style

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — The future looks bright for the Philippine Men’s National Football Team. Up against an opponent 44 places above in the FIFA Rankings, the Filipinos put in an aggressive, confident, and courageous performance in a 0-0 draw against recent Asian Cup Quarterfinalists Tajikistan.

Although the Philippines ultimately succumbed 4-3 in a penalty shootout, it was the team’s display over the 90 minutes of regulation that caught the eye. From the first whistle the Filipinos took the game to the favorites, pressing high up on the pitch and forcing numerous turnovers early. Norman Fegidero Jr.’s side also proved fearless on the ball, successfully playing out from the back with short passes with regularity, and finding fluid combinations to progress the ball with ease.

Bjorn Kristensen fired narrowly wide on the half hour mark after being played through by Alex Monis. Shortly after, Sandro Reyes’s stinging volley forced a great save from the Tajikistan keeper. Dylan Demuynck struck the crossbar to start the second half, and Bjorn Kristensen drew another fine stop from the keeper with 15 minutes to go. Substitute JB Borlongan almost won it in the end, but the opposition shot stopper put in one last save with a minute left in regulation.

“I’m very proud of the team. We played really well. We played with a lot of possession and I think we dominated the game and also had the most chances. So I think we deserved to win, but that’s football sometimes,” said Filipino goalkeeper Kevin Mendoza, who earned a clean sheet in between the sticks. “Most important is that our playing style worked and that the boys were fighting in there, and that we stuck together for 90 minutes.”

“It’s pretty clear that we played a different style of football — a lot more possession. We were more confident with the ball and we dared to play. This is the future of the Philippines. We want to play and I think we showed what we could do,” he continued.

Kidapawan-born 20-year-old Uriel Dalapo, who came on in the 72nd minute impressed on his debut, and believes bigger things are on the horizon for the team.

“We deserved the win, honestly. I think we were the better team there even though they were much higher ranked than us. All I can say is the Philippines will go up in the near future,” he said.

12-year PMNFT veteran Patrick Reichelt, who was unfortunately forced off to due an injury in the first half, also saw signs of bigger things to come.

“It feels like a success even though we lost in the penalties. There’s a lot of improvement in the way we press and the way we played. There’s a lot of positives to take from this game and to bring to future camps,” he said “It’s a clean sheet. It’s a 0-0. Now we have to get more clinical in front of goal and I think we’ll be more successful.”

The PMNFT will next participate in the King’s Cup in Thailand from October 7-15.