PMNFT builds on strong AFC qualifying foundation

The Philippine Football Federation said the Philippine Men’s National Football Team emerged from its AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a stronger foundation and a promising new wave of players, as the national program looks ahead to the next phase of competition.

PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez said the campaign showed that the men’s team is moving in the right direction and must continue building on that progress.

“Our men’s national team has shown that Philippine football is on a clear upward path, with performances that reflect both quality and character This campaign is not the end, but the foundation of something bigger—one that will continue to inspire belief as we strengthen the program and compete at an even higher level,” Gutierrez said.

Under head coach Carles Cuadrat, the PMNFT posted its highest points total and goal output in an AFC qualifying group stage, underscoring what the federation described as clear progress in both performance and identity.

Although qualification slipped away by just one goal on goal difference, the campaign highlighted the Philippines’ growing ability to challenge Asia’s emerging football powers.

Cuadrat said defensive consistency ultimately proved decisive in the team’s bid to advance.

Despite creating more clear scoring opportunities in both matches against group winners Tajikistan, the Philippines fell short after conceding in crucial moments, while Tajikistan kept clean sheets against lower-ranked Maldives and Timor-Leste and allowed only three goals in six matches, all of them scored by the Philippines.

“This is an important lesson for us,” Cuadrat noted in an interview with pff.org.ph. “Keeping a clean sheet is an essential characteristic of a competitive team, and in that sense, our lack of defensive consistency affected our chances of qualifying.”

The fine margins were evident in the closing stages of the Philippines’ final match, when the team pushed for a breakthrough that might have changed the outcome.

Late chances included a dangerous delivery from Raphael Obermair that narrowly missed Jeff Tabinas and a close-range attempt from Jarvey Gayoso, emphasizing how near the Filipinos came to swinging the result in their favor.

Beyond the results, the qualifying run also served as a key stage in squad development as several players made their national team debuts and quickly established themselves as important contributors.

Among those identified by the federation were Randy Schneider, 24, Jossef Baccay, 24, Andre Leopold, 24, and Obermair, 30.

The player pool is also continuing to deepen with younger talents such as Bjorn Kristensen, 23, Sandro Reyes, 23, and Dylan Demuynck, 21.

Cuadrat also pointed to potential additions such as MLS-based twins Nick and Anthony Markanich, both 26, whose Philippine eligibility remains under process.

Cuadrat updated: “We are awaiting the early issuance of the passports of the Markanich brothers, who could greatly strengthen the team.”

He added, “In short, recent and very interesting additions lead us to believe that we have a group of players in a growth phase, who should allow us to compete at a high level in the official tournaments that will be coming up for us in the next few months.”

Cuadrat also credited the federation’s continued work in scouting, logistics, and player integration, saying recent camps have been handled with a high degree of professionalism.

From training bases in Australia, Dubai, and Turkey to home support at New Clark City Stadium, the environment around the national team has improved significantly, according to the federation.

“The Federation has worked hard to ensure everything is well prepared. The players understand our system, and after a year together, they are able to quickly execute the tactical requirements we set for each match.”

Managing the limits of the international calendar remains one of the team’s main challenges, especially given the shortage of FIFA windows and the difficulty of securing player releases outside official dates.

“Every training camp is different and you have to make the right decisions and choose the best options for each situation. The recent FIFA dates haven’t offered many opportunities to play. Some players travel from the USA or Europe, having to cover long distances, and some play their match on Monday due to the new televised league schedules. This means that many of them wouldn’t be available for that first friendly, which should be played on a Thursday at the latest.”

Cuadrat said another key consideration is lining up a practice opponent whose style and level closely resemble the team they will face in the official match a few days later. He also noted that injuries are more likely to happen in matches than in training, making it risky to lose an important player in a friendly shortly before a crucial qualifier.

Even so, he added that continuity within the core of the squad and the gradual addition of new talent should help lift the team’s level further.

“Our team has had [a] consistent core of players for over 12 months, with few changes and very well-defined playing system. They have already mastered the automatic movements of the game, and we know exactly what each one can contribute. They arrive with match fitness and in excellent physical condition, so they don’t need a friendly match in that situation.”

The June FIFA window is expected to be a key period for the national team, with new players likely to join the setup as preparations begin in earnest for upcoming competitions.

Among those tournaments is the 2026 ASEAN Championship-Hyundai Cup, which regional organizers have scheduled from July 24 to Aug. 26, 2026. The official draw placed the Philippines in Group B with Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, and Myanmar, while the tournament’s playoff round is set for June.

Speaking of the Hyundai Cup, Cuadrat said that “it will be interesting for us to play the two matches scheduled for June during the next FIFA window, to prepare well for the Hyundai Cup tournament with this new group of players.”

The federation said it remains optimistic that the PMNFT is entering a sustained growth phase and called on Filipino supporters to continue backing the national team as it prepares for future competitions.

In conclusion, emphasized that “we should be optimistic about the future of Philippine football, because we are experiencing a period of growth unlike anything we’ve seen in a long time.”

“Players want to join us because they enjoy the attacking, possession-based style of football we play. The team has climbed in the FIFA rankings, improving more than 15 places in only a year since the start of the group stage… Our hopes are to continue strengthening the team and competing with the heart and skillful play we demonstrated during this last phase. The project is highly attractive and competitive, and we will soon have opportunities to play for the Philippines again and continue making our fans proud of how we represent our country,” Cuadrat said in closing.

The latest FIFA men’s ranking page for the Philippines, updated April 1, 2026, lists the team at No. 136 and notes a biggest climb of 15 places, matching Cuadrat’s assessment of the squad’s recent upward movement.