The Philippine Men’s Under‑23 National Football Team began its return to the Asian Games after a 52‑year absence with a difficult 5‑1 defeat to Uzbekistan on Tuesday at the CS Asset Minato Soccer Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
Despite facing one of Asia’s established youth football powers, the Philippines showed promising moments early in the match.
Captain Sandro Reyes created several opportunities, including two attempts that went narrowly wide, while Andres Aldeguer dropped deeper to help connect the midfield and attack.
Uzbekistan eventually broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. Ollabergan Karimov delivered a cross into the box, with captain Muhammadali Urinboev rising to head the ball past the Philippine defense and give the Uzbeks a 1‑0 advantage.
Goalkeeper Nicholas Guimarães also made several important interventions to keep the Philippines within striking distance heading into halftime, 0‑1.
Gavin Muens Gets Ejected
The Philippines’ challenge became significantly tougher shortly after the restart.
Gavin Muens was shown a straight red card in the 48th minute after pulling down Karimov, leaving the Filipinos with only 10 players for the remainder of the match.
Still, the Philippines nearly found an equalizer in the 59th minute when John Lucero struck the crossbar from inside the box. Uzbekistan immediately punished the missed opportunity, with substitute Shodiyor Shodiboev sending a through ball to Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev, who doubled the lead in the 60th minute.
Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev Sparks Uzbekistan
The Philippines responded just two minutes later. Joshua “Josh” Merino pulled one back for the Filipinos after an Uzbekistan clearance deflected into the net, cutting the deficit to 2‑1 and briefly giving the Philippines hope of mounting a comeback.
That momentum, however, did not last long.
Saidnurullayev scored his second goal in the 71st minute before Ruziboy Fayzullaev added another from outside the box two minutes later. Uzbekistan then completed the scoring in the 80th minute when substitute Mukhammedali Reimov capitalized on another defensive error to make it 5‑1.
Coach Garrath McPherson Looks Ahead
Despite the final score, head coach Garrath McPherson acknowledged the positives from his team’s performance against a strong Uzbek side.
“For the first 50 minutes we were able to compete and stay to our plan for a result. After this time the game for us changes significantly, and we have to suffer physically for longer periods,” McPherson said.
He also emphasized the lessons the team can take from the match.
“Now we know and understand what medals at this tournament require, and for two‑thirds of the game we were close. We need to discuss and address what will help us move from ‘close to the level’ to ‘above the level.’”
The Philippines will try to bounce back against Vietnam on Friday, September 18, at 2:30 p.m. at the same venue.
