At A Glance
- The Philippine men's national football team shrugged off a lackluster start and vented its ire on host Laos in the second half to prevail 4-1 for its first win in the 2026 ASEAN Championship (Hyundai Cup) campaign at the Lao National Stadium Saturday, Aug. 1.
PMFNT (ASEAN Championship)
The Philippine men’s national football team shrugged off a lackluster start and vented its ire on host Laos in the second half to prevail 4-1 for its first win in the 2026 ASEAN Championship (Hyundai Cup) campaign at the Lao National Stadium Saturday, Aug. 1.
Determined to bounce back from a painful 1-4 loss to Myanmar, the Nationals recovered from an early setback after Laos struck first through Damoth Thongkhamsavath in the seventh minute by erupting for four second-half goals to secure the breakthrough win.
John Lucero found the back of the net in the 47th minute, before Laos' woes deepened just five minutes later when substitute Viengxay Sydavong accidentally scored an own goal.
Jarvey Gayoso then added another strike in the 60-minute mark before veteran Daisuke Sato put the finishing touches on the emphatic victory with a goal in the 88th minute.
The Nationals evened their record to 1-1, while eliminating Laos, which suffered its third defeat in as many outings.
The PH booters go for two in a row when they square off with Thailand (1-0) on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
In Group B, the Philippines, Thailand, and Myanmar are tied with three points each, while leading so far is Malaysia (2-0) with 6 points. Laos sits at the bottom.
Only top teams from two groups will advance to the semis, a position that the country reached for five times – with the latest being in 2024.
“The Philippines secures a resounding 4–1 victory following an impressive second-half display,” the PMNFT wrote on its social media post. “On to the next! Laban, Pilipinas!”