The Philippine Azkals fell further adrift in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round campaign after being held 1-1 by Indonesia Tuesday in front of 9,880 fans at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Patrick Reichelt gave the home side the lead in the 23rd minute after he shot past Indonesian goalkeeper Ernando Ari Sutaryadi, but the Azkals were left to lament their failure to finish multiple chances in the first half.
Reichelt, Santiago Rublico, Mike Ott, Manuel Ott, and OJ Porteria should have added to the Azkals’ tally and their failure to put the ball at the back of the net made the Philippines suffer the consequences much later in the game.
The Merah Putih came out the more aggressive side from the dugout in the second half. The visitors stunned the home side in the 70th minute courtesy of forward Saddil Ramdami’s leveler.
The Azkals pushed for a late winner but it was just not meant to be. Reichelt shot straight at Sutaryadi and then Rublico’s magnificent solo attempt was deflected towards the crossbar.
The Philippines, which only has one more home game left, now faces an uphill task to make it to the next round of the competition.
“It hurts. I think it hurts everyone in that dressing room. It does hurt everyone in that dressing room. It means so much to represent the Philippines, to represent at this level,” said Etheridge. “We should have converted our chances.”
The Filipinos may have earned their first point in Group F but so did the Indonesians. Both teams are yet to taste a win as they suffered losses to the Vietnamese and Iraqis respectively last Thursday.
The two nations will resume their respective campaigns on March 21, 2024. The Philippines will next play Iraq in an away fixture while Indonesia shall host Vietnam at the Gelano Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Philippines XI: Etheridge (GK, C), Curran, Tabinas, Ingreso, Mi Ott, Manu Ott, Porteria, De Murga, Reichelt, Rublico.
Indonesia XI: Baggott, Amat, Ramadhani, Walsh, Struci, Irianto, Bahar ©, Kambuaya, Ramdani, Jay, Saturyadi.
