The Philippine Men’s National Football Team opened its ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 campaign on a disappointing note, falling 4-1 to Myanmar on Tuesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
Entering the match riding an eight-game unbeaten streak, Carles Cuadrat’s side endured a sluggish start that led to its first defeat since its semifinal loss to Thailand in the 2024 edition of the tournament.
Myanmar — ranked 23 spots below the Philippines at 158th in the FIFA World Rankings — seized the early initiative in the seventh minute when Kyaw Min Oo headed home at the back post off a corner kick. Than Paing then doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 28th minute with a composed finish.
The Philippines showed signs of life in the second half after Jarvey Gayoso, whose first-half penalty appeal was overturned following a VAR review, pulled one back in the 68th minute.
However, the two-time UAAP champion’s goal proved to be only a brief spark.
Win Naing Tun restored Myanmar’s two-goal advantage in the 81st minute, heading in Hein Htet Aung’s cross. Then Than Paing completed his brace just two minutes later to put the match beyond doubt.
It was a rude awakening for the Philippines considering the fact that it dismantled Myanmar, 5-1, last June 9 at Rizal Memorial. The result also marked the first defeat in Cuadrat’s tenure since his hiring last year.
Noting that the first two goals came from unfortunate circumstances, the 57-year-old emphasized the need to continue backing the squad’s young defensive players, such as Noah Leddel, Santi Rublico, and Scott Woods.
“These guys, they are in the process of developing as football professional players,” said the Spanish mentor. “Sometimes, in the process, you miss actions (and) you concede goals, so we have to be patient with them… We have to support them because games like these are the best lessons they can take to be competitive in the future.”
The victory allowed Myanmar to bounce back from its 2-1 defeat to Malaysia last Saturday and earn its first points in Group B. Moreover, the win lifted Myanmar to second place in the five-team standings, while the Philippines dropped to fourth pending the result of the Malaysia-Laos match later Tuesday.
Both teams will next face Laos in their respective fixtures. The Philippines, formerly known as the Azkals, will look to rebound when it visits the Laotians on Saturday at the New Laos National Stadium, with kickoff set for 6:00 PM.
Meanwhile, Myanmar will aim to build on its momentum when it hosts Laos next Tuesday at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, also at 6:00 PM.
Philippines XI: Kammeraad (GK), Sato (C), Leddel, Woods, Reyes, Gayoso, Kekkonen, Mrowka, Bugas, Mariona, Rublico.
Myanmar XI: Aung Z. (GK), Lwin (C), Win, Lin, Kyaw, Oo, Aung L., Paing, Tun, Khant K., Khant P.
