By all accounts, the Philippine Men’s National Football Team’s visit to Laos this Saturday in the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 should be a straightforward assignment.
Laos sits at 185th in the FIFA World Rankings, well behind the 135th-ranked Philippines. Moreover, the last time the Laotians defeated the squad formerly known as the Azkals was on September 10, 2012 — a 2-1 victory in Vientiane, where Rob Gier scored only a 92nd-minute consolation goal for the visitors.
However, matches are not won on paper, and the Philippines learned that lesson the hard way last Tuesday.
In a stunning reversal, the national team suffered a 4-1 defeat to Myanmar at the New Clark City Stadium, a stark contrast to the 5-1 victory the Filipinos recorded against the same opponent just last June at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Suddenly, the pressure to secure an away victory over Laos has intensified. Another setback could significantly dent the Philippines’ hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
“It’s hard to accept,” said Jarvey Gayoso, who scored the country’s lone goal against Myanmar last Tuesday. “I think, for the entire team, we didn’t play to the standards that we wanted and expected from ourselves and each other.
“But it’s a test of character. We have a lot of young guys who will go through a lot of experiences like this. We’ve proven it before in the last campaign, and I think this would be a good lesson for everybody. We just have to take it on the chin and pick ourselves up.”
After the second matchday, Malaysia tops Group B with six points, while Thailand and Myanmar both have three, with the Thais occupying second place on goal difference. The Philippines and Laos are fourth and fifth, respectively, with one point apiece.
With crucial matches against regional heavyweights Thailand and Malaysia still to come, the Philippines must collect all three points in Laos and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the group stage.
Head coach Carles Cuadrat, however, remains confident in his squad’s ability to respond. He pointed out that the team endured a similarly slow start two years ago before eventually reaching the semifinals.
“We have to be positive,” said the Spanish mentor. “We know that it’s only the first game and there are nine more points to be played. Last ASEAN Cup, after two games, the Philippines had two points from two draws against Myanmar and Laos.
“So now, if we win in Laos, we’re going to have more points — we’re going to have three points.”
Losses like the one against Myanmar can either break a team or strengthen it, depending on how it responds.
With 35 international caps and six goals, Gayoso is the second-most experienced player in the current squad behind veteran defender Daisuke Sato, who has made 63 appearances for the national team. Now embracing a bigger leadership role, the 29-year-old striker has urged his teammates to remain focused on the bigger picture.
The Philippines still has everything to play for, and one disappointing result does not have to define its campaign.
“It’s difficult because they’re different personalities and they have different mindsets,” said the two-time UAAP champion. “But it all comes from wanting to win, wanting to do our best. And that’s where I draw from this situation and how I react — just telling them that, ‘Let this be an opportunity to reflect and to be able to bounce back, because the talent is there.’
“Everybody knows how to play really good football and we believe in this team. So, from here, it’s just taking these lessons and taking these errors that we’ve done, being able to adjust and fix them in the next game.”
