Philippines U17 eyes second straight win against Indonesia

The Philippine Under-17 Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT U17) will go for a second straight win when it faces Indonesia on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Yangon, Myanmar, in Group A of the 2027 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers (ACQ).

Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. Philippine time.

Indonesia competed in the 2023 and 2025 U17 World Cups.

The Philippines enters the match with three points after beating Cambodia, 2-1, on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Star City Sports Club in Thanlyin, Myanmar.

Group A also includes Afghanistan and host Myanmar, with Afghanistan winning its opener against Myanmar, 4-1.

The result was the third consecutive win by the Philippines against Cambodia at the U17 men’s level dating back to the 2025 ACQ.

“For this particular game, what our U17 program has achieved is consistency,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez.

“To defeat Cambodia three in a row, with three generations of U17s, is a testament of PFF’s current emphasis on strengthening our youth national teams in order to have strong senior national squads,” Gutierrez added.

Filipino-German forward Kai Müller scored both goals on his national team debut, while the Philippine defense turned back Cambodia’s attempts to force a draw.

“I feel I was able to deliver a very good performance, and I’m very happy about that—but I’m far from satisfied yet,” the youth standout from FC Nurnberg said after the game.

Both defenses denied open shots in the final third in a back-and-forth match before Müller broke through in the 39th minute.

He scored with his left foot on an attack inside the Cambodian box.

Cambodia answered before the end of the first half, with forward Long Bich scoring off a high-press interception.

The second half remained a tactical contest.

Cambodian substitute striker Chantha Seyha missed a header off a dangerous ball into the final third in the 58th minute.

Müller restored the lead in the 69th minute, taking on two Cambodian defenders inside the penalty box and finishing with his left foot.

The Philippines then made key stops to protect the lead.

In the 83rd minute, center back Lucas Asher Alvarez of Bay Area Surf SC cleanly stopped Seyha’s attack inside the Philippine penalty box.

Goalkeeper Nicko Buan of Paris Saint-Germain U15 made two saves deep in added time during Cambodia’s final possessions.

Buan stopped an Olimpico attempt, a shot taken directly from a corner kick, and an on-target free kick from midfield by It Somaun.

“I am very happy to start with a victory in a competition like this, and to be able to do my bit for the growth of football in the Philippines,” said PMNFT U17 coach Sergi Mulet.

After Indonesia, the Philippines still has group matches against Myanmar and Afghanistan in the qualifiers, which run until Nov. 20. (PFF)