The Philippine Men’s National Football Team wrapped up its 2024 King’s Cup campaign in dominant fashion, defeating Tajikistan 3-0 on Monday night at the Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla, Thailand, to secure the bronze medal.
After a goalless first half, Albert Capellas’ squad found its rhythm immediately after the restart.
Philippines winger Gerrit Holtmann broke the deadlock in the 47th minute, followed by Buriram United defender Jefferson Tabinas, who doubled the lead in the 58th minute to provide a comfortable cushion.
Zico Bailey, currently playing for USL Championship side New Mexico United, sealed the victory in the 62nd minute.
The win not only marked Capellas’ first triumph as head coach, but also ended the Philippines’ 10-match winless streak – dating back to their 2-1 victory over Afghanistan on September 12, 2023, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
This victory also marked the third time the Philippines has defeated Tajikistan in six encounters.
“We came here with the belief that we could win the tournament, but that wasn’t possible,” Capellas said. “However, I’m very happy with the first half of the first game and very pleased with our performance today.”
He added, “We’ve made another step forward in how we play, showing much more maturity. Credit goes to the players – despite working together for only a short time, they’ve quickly grasped everything, which shows how talented they are. I hope we can continue playing like this in more matches.”
The Philippines’ next two international friendlies against Hong Kong and a fixture against either Brunei or Chinese Taipei next month are also on the agenda.
