The Philippine Men’s National Team was able to end the year unbeaten in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers as they won against Maldives on the evening of November 18 at the Maldives National Football Stadium.
Early Pressure from the Visitors
The Philippines dominated possession from the outset, testing Maldives’ defense repeatedly.
Their first opportunity came in the 11th minute when midfielder Randy Schneider drove down the left flank, cut inside, and unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the area, forcing Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal into a reflex save.
The visitors’ early intensity kept the home team on the back foot, echoing their assertive style from previous qualifier matches.
Tabinas Opens the Scoring
The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute.
Jefferson Tabinas found space at the far post and headed home a precise delivery, giving the Philippines a 1-0 lead. Tabinas, who had also scored with a header in a previous fixture against Tajikistan, demonstrated his aerial prowess and timing to break the deadlock.
Reyes Doubles the Lead
The Philippines continued to dominate, and eight minutes before halftime, Sandro Reyes extended the advantage.
Controlling a perfectly timed pass from Jarvey Gayoso, Reyes spun past Maldives captain Samooh Ali and slotted the ball into the far corner, leaving Faisal with no chance. By the 37th–40th minute mark, the scoreline reflected the visitors’ superior first-half performance.
Maldives Responds, But the Lead Holds
Maldives sought to regroup after conceding twice, becoming more aggressive in the second half.
They tested Philippine goalkeeper Kevin Mendoza in the 51st minute with an attempted lob from Naiz Hassan, which Mendoza expertly blocked. Several other attempts from Maldives were thwarted, while Bjorn Kristensen and Sebastian Rasmussen came close to increasing the Philippines’ tally late in the game, but neither could convert.
FINAL SCORE: MALDIVES 0 – 2 PHILIPPINES
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Standings and Qualification Scenario
With the win, the Philippines collected three points, bringing their Group A total to 13 points, identical to Tajikistan.
However, Tajikistan edged ahead in the standings due to a superior goal difference following their 5-0 win over Timor-Leste. Both teams currently have four wins and one draw, but only the group winner secures the lone Asian Cup berth from Group A.
This means that in the decisive match on March 31, 2026, in Tajikistan, the Philippines must secure a victory to qualify. A draw would hand the spot to Tajikistan due to goal difference.
The teams previously played to a 2-2 draw in June at New Clark City Stadium, keeping the final showdown highly anticipated.
Looking Ahead: A Must-Win Final Match Against Tajikistan
While the Philippines could not control its destiny with a larger margin of victory over the Maldives, the team remains in contention.
A win against Tajikistan would not only propel them to the top of the group but also mark only the second appearance in the AFC Asian Cup for the country, following their debut in 2019.
Coach Carles Cuadrat and his squad will now prepare for the high-stakes encounter that will decide their place on the continental stage.
