Philippines stuns Myanmar for historic ASEAN U17 win

GRESIK, Indonesia — Aarran Long scored twice in the final 10 minutes as the Philippine men’s under-17 national football team rallied past group leader Myanmar, 2-1, at Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium to close its 2026 ASEAN U17 Boys’ Championship campaign.

The result marked the Philippines’ first victory over Myanmar at the U17 level.

Although the Filipinos did not advance from Group B, the campaign represented a statistical improvement for the country’s youth football program.

The Philippines matched its highest goal total in the ASEAN U17 competition with six, conceded a record-low 10 goals, and posted its best goal difference at minus-4.

The Filipinos finished with one victory and two defeats after opening the tournament with a 5-1 loss to Thailand and falling to Laos, 4-3, in their second match.

Myanmar entered the match undefeated in Group B and was coming off a victory over Thailand, the runner-up in the 2024 ASEAN U17 tournament.

Despite Myanmar’s regional pedigree, the Philippines delivered a disciplined performance built on defensive compactness, collective pressing, and late-game execution.

Philippine Football Federation President John Anthony Gutierrez said the result showed that the country’s youth program was becoming more competitive within Southeast Asia.

“This is not only one of the most significant wins at this level for the Philippines, it is also clear evidence that our U17 men’s program is rapidly becoming competitive in ASEAN football. To defeat Myanmar, the group’s top team and a two-time ASEAN champion, reflects the steady growth of our youth development system and the fighting spirit of our players. We are deeply grateful to our U17 squad. You have made the country proud.”

Myanmar controlled the early stages and opened the scoring in the 20th minute.

Nyi Nyi Thant finished from the center of the box after Aung Thi Ha delivered a set piece from the left wing.

Myanmar maintained its attacking pressure and produced 20 attempts on goal during the match.

The Philippine defense, however, limited Myanmar to six shots on target and repeatedly absorbed pressure without losing its structure.

The defensive display represented a clear improvement from the Filipinos’ earlier matches against Thailand and Laos.

Philippine U17 head coach Joan Segura said the team’s compact shape and willingness to defend collectively laid the foundation for the comeback.

“The first half was a clean sheet in terms of control beyond the goal,” Segura said. “The most important thing is that the opponent doesn’t change the opportunities in our goal. To be a very compact team in defence, the most important thing is to play as a team, especially in defense, and try to create chances to throw counter-attacks.”

Segura also praised the players for maintaining their defensive effort throughout the full match.

“The players for me today, especially in the defensive phase, played very well, coming back during 90 minutes. I’m proud of them, I’m proud of the country, of the players. They deserve it. Every day, during the training session, they work well. I’m very happy for the players,” Segura said.

The Philippines trailed at halftime but began creating more opportunities after the break.

Joshua Moleje tested Myanmar in the 48th minute with a powerful attempt from 20 yards that forced a sharp save.

The breakthrough arrived in the 80th minute when Long curled a 25-yard free kick into the top left corner and beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

Myanmar pushed forward immediately after the equalizer.

Sai Myat Min directed a header toward goal in the 82nd minute, but the Philippines produced a crucial save to keep the score level.

Long completed the comeback in the 85th minute after capitalizing on a pressing attacking run.

His second goal completed his brace and secured the Philippines’ dramatic 2-1 victory.

Segura said the Filipinos entered the match believing they could challenge Myanmar despite losing their first two group assignments.

“Our idea was always to compete against Myanmar,” Segura noted. “We have good players, we have a good team. But we want to win this game, of course. The players are competitive, the staff are competitive. Everyone wants to win the game.”

Segura also cited the number of goals conceded against Thailand and Laos while discussing the team’s need to improve its defensive coordination.

“The progress is against Thailand, scored five goals, against Laos scored four goals. But we need to fix this problem, fix the problem, and more football, everyone working in defense, everyone coming there. This is the solution. Plan, coming there, to be a communicative team. This is the solution.”

Long said the victory carried additional meaning because the Filipinos wanted to finish the tournament with pride.

“Honestly, it’s a great feeling. We all played no matter the circumstance of this match,” Long said.

The brace scorer said the team treated its final group match with the same importance as its previous assignments.

“We just thought that we gotta play with pride, and we gotta come home with something to bring to the Philippines. Even though we may have not won in the first two games, the third game meant just as much, and we had to come home with pride, and with our heads held up high.”

Long also thanked the families and supporters who continued to follow the team despite its difficult start to the campaign.

“A huge thank you for supporting us no matter what. We’ve had so much negative towards us, so many ups and downs, but we know our family and supporters are always there. They bring love to the stadium, and we experience it with them,” he said.

The Philippines ended the tournament without advancing, but the victory over an undefeated group leader provided a measurable sign of progress for its youth development program.

The breakthrough also showed that the Philippine U17 side is increasingly capable of challenging and defeating the region’s established football programs. (PFF)