Philippines push Iraq to the limit in U17 Asian opener

The Philippine men’s under-17 national football team (PMNFT U17) delivered a spirited performance against regional powerhouse Iraq, narrowly losing 3–2 in the opening match of the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Aqaba, Jordan, early Sunday morning.

Facing a two-time U17 World Cup finalist, the young Azkals went toe-to-toe for much of the match, with the game tied 2–2 until the 76th minute when Alamer Hayder capitalized on a spill by Filipino keeper Jaime Sandejas to seal Iraq’s win.

“Again, our boys played beyond expectation,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez. “To be that close to earning a point against a World Cup country is incredible, and the fact that we scored two goals against them is proof that the Philippines is beginning to be a formidable force in Asian youth football.”

Iraq took the lead in the 20th minute through Hayder, finishing off a right-wing cross from Ali Amer.

The Philippines responded quickly. In the 25th minute, Lawrence Binalong forced a save from Iraq’s keeper Osamah Ahmed Hussein. Seconds later, Filbert Tacardon cut the ball back to Aarran Long, who slotted it in from the center of the box to make it 1–1.

Iraq regained the lead before halftime, as defender Muntadher Hayder nodded in a corner in the 41st minute. But it was Sandejas’ heroics that kept the Philippines in the game, producing three crucial saves before the break, including a double stop in the 43rd minute.

Binalong brought Filipino fans to their feet again in the 52nd minute with a 35-yard screamer, leveling the score at 2–2 and giving the team fresh momentum.

However, the tide turned in the 63rd minute when Long, the squad’s top scorer for 2025, had to exit the game due to a leg injury. Iraq would later capitalize on the shift, with Hayder bagging his brace and the match-winner in the 76th minute.

The Philippines came close to an equalizer in added time, as Joshua Moleje chased down a clever through ball from Tacardon inside the box, but the final touch never came.

“Unfortunately, we lost the game yesterday, but the players gave their all for the Philippines,” said head coach and PFF Head of Youth Development Tetsuya Tsuchida. “While I regret that the second and third goals conceded might have been preventable especially, I am proud of them for performing our style of football throughout the match and for fighting without giving up.”

Tsuchida stressed that the team would focus on adjustments ahead of the next matches. “We still have three matches remaining. We will address the areas needing improvement and prepare for the next game.”

Gutierrez echoed the coach’s optimism: “I am so proud of our U17 boys. The quality of this team has improved over the past year, and even if they are faced with the difficult task of qualifying to the U17 Asian Cup, with games against Australia and Jordan up next, they have proven that they can match up against the continent’s best in this game against Iraq.”

The Philippines will next face Bhutan on November 25 at 12 midnight, Manila time, as they aim to bounce back and secure their first win in Group E.