Philippines Names Squad for Asian Cup Qualifier vs Tajikistan

The Philippine men’s national football team has named its 24-man roster for a crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifying clash against Group A co-leader Tajikistan on June 10 at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

The announcement comes as the Philippines looks to build on its commanding 4-1 victory over the Maldives last March 25, a match where midfielders Randy Schneider and Sandro Reyes, defender Jefferson Tabinas, and striker Bjørn Martin Kristensen each scored.

“We believe in the quality we have in our team and with the supporters behind us, we have the opportunity to achieve something special at home,” said team manager Freddy Gonzalez.

“Tajikistan made the quarterfinals of the last edition of the Asian Cup. They’re the top seed in our group for a reason,” he added. “But if we want to achieve our goal of qualification, these are the type of games we need to savor.”

Among the squad’s most notable inclusions is Bundesliga veteran Gerrit Holtmann, who is expected to make his first appearance on home soil since making his national team debut in 2022.

The team also features 23-year-old striker André Leipold, earning his first international call-up, and standout midfielder Schneider, who starred in the previous qualifier.

The Philippines will field Kevin Ray Mendoza of Indonesia’s Persib Bandung, Quincy Kammeraad of Taguig FC, and teenage talent Nicholas Guimarães of Funabashi High School as its goalkeepers.

Defenders include Amani Aguinaldo (Rayong, Thai League 1), Jeff Tabinas (Buriram United), Jesper Nyholm (Prachaup), and Paul Tabinas (Vukovar, Croatia), forming a core backline alongside Adrian Ugelvik, Josef Baccay, Santi Rublico, and Scott Woods.

In midfield, returning stalwarts Manny Ott and Oskari Kekkonen are joined by Zico Bailey, Sandro Reyes, Randy Schneider, and John Lucero.

The attacking unit features Holtmann, Jarvey Gayoso, Dylan DeMuynck, Dov Cariño, and Kristensen, with Leipold adding new firepower from the Czech Republic’s top division.

The upcoming fixture pits two unbeaten sides atop Group A, each holding three points after victories in their respective opening matches in March.

Tajikistan narrowly edged Timor-Leste 1-0, while the Philippines dominated the Maldives with a goal-heavy performance.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and the stakes are high: only the top team in the group advances directly to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The qualifier marks the first of four remaining group-stage matches for the Philippines, who will face Timor-Leste on October 9, Maldives on November 18, and potentially close the round with a pivotal rematch against Tajikistan on March 31, 2026.

With qualification on the line, the national squad will rely on a mix of overseas professionals and homegrown talent in pursuit of a historic Asian Cup berth.