The Philippine Men’s National Football Team opened its ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 campaign with a 4-1 home defeat to Myanmar on Tuesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
More than 3,000 fans turned up despite heavy rains soaking the pitch before kickoff—and the conditions did not help a Filipino side that dominated possession without being able to translate it into goals when it mattered.
Myanmar drew first blood in the seventh minute when Kyaw Min Oo headed home from a corner kick. The Filipinos had their chances as Javier Mariona, Sandro Reyes, and Jarvey Gayoso all created opportunities in the first half that went unconverted. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad kept the Philippines in it with a series of saves. But Myanmar doubled their lead in the 28th minute through a left-footed Than Paing strike assisted by Maung Maung Lwin, and the Philippines went into halftime trailing 2-0.
Gayoso Gives PH GLimmer of Hope, But No Cigar
Gayoso gave the home crowd something to celebrate in the 68th minute, converting a Mariona cross from the centre of the box to find the left corner. A VAR review confirmed the goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and briefly reviving hope. Then Myanmar struck twice in three minutes to put the match well beyond reach. Win Naing Tun headed in from a Hein Htet Aung cross in the 81st minute to make it 3-1, and Than Paing added his second of the night two minutes later to seal a 4-1 result.
Than Paing earned Player of the Match honors. His coach, Jørn Andersen, credited his team’s character for seeing out a road win under difficult conditions, noting that Myanmar had used their specific strengths—pace, directness, and crossing ability—to maximum effect against a possession-heavy Philippines side.
A Learning Experience for the Philippines
Philippines coach Carles Cuadrat was candid about what went wrong—and what the result can still offer.
“It’s a learning match,” Cuadrat said. “I think that, of course, we are very angry with the result. We don’t like to lose at home. It’s the first match that we are losing for a long time. But I think that the new generation, the kids that have been representing the country, can learn a lot from that game and it’s going to be useful for them in the future.”
He also made clear the campaign is far from over. Three points remain available from the next three group stage matches, and the Philippines head to Laos for their next fixture on August 1.
“We have to be positive. We know that it’s only the first game and there are nine more points to be played. If we go and we win in Laos, we are going to have more points, we are going to have three points. So the message is to be competitive, to keep learning,” Cuadrat said.
One defeat. Nine points still to play for. The road back starts in Laos.
