By: Icko de Guzman
Bjorn Kristensen fired all four goals as the Philippine Men’s National Team cruised to a commanding 4–1 victory over Timor Leste in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers at the Territory Rugby League Stadium in Darwin, Australia.
It was a fully deserved win for the Filipinos, who built on their 2–2 draw against Tajikistan last June to climb to the top of Group A with seven points and a +6 goal difference, with three matches still to play in the qualifiers.
The Philippines started brightly, taking the lead in the 15th minute.
Sandro Reyes burst down the right flank and squared the ball to Kristensen, who saw his initial shot saved by the goalkeeper before he calmly slotted in the rebound.
Timor Leste nearly equalized moments later, but Mouzinho De Lima failed to control a dangerous cross inside the box.
Kristensen doubled the lead in the 31st minute with a brilliant solo effort. He collected the ball near midfield, before breezing past defenders and finishing coolly past the keeper.
Timorese captain Paulo Freitas tried to pull one back before halftime with a long-range strike. But Kevin Ray Mendoza was alert to make the save, keeping the Philippines ahead 2–0 at the break.
(C) AFC
Timor Leste managed to cut the deficit just seconds into the second half, as Freitas capitalized on a defensive lapse to make it 2–1.
But Kristensen quickly restored the two-goal cushion only two minutes later.
Substitute Dylan Demuycynk’s cross was deflected by defender Anizo Correia. The ball ricocheted off the crossbar, and Kristensen was on hand to nod it home for his hat-trick.
The Nordstrand IF striker wasn’t done yet, completing his four-goal haul — and his 12th international goal — in the 56th minute after another fine delivery from Reyes from deep.
Randy Schneider nearly added a fifth for the Philippines in the 61st minute but couldn’t convert his chance.
Sebastian Rasmussen made his return to the national team, coming on for Kristensen in the 62nd minute.
Timor Leste had one last chance to narrow the gap, but Zenivio Conceição Mota’s 85th-minute strike flew over the bar as the Philippines comfortably saw out the win.
The Philippines will face the same opponent again on Tuesday, October 14, at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
