By NIKOLE JAVIER
No follow up to the Miracle in Hanoi.
The Philippine men’s national football team suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to host Vietnam in the preliminary joint qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup on Thursday night, June 6, at the Mỹ Đình National Stadium.
The Filipinos ended their run in the World Cup qualifiers winless in five games, with only a 1-1 draw against Indonesia in the first window to show for themselves as they are now down to one remaining match left to play for pride.
Nearly 13 years ago, the Philippines defeated the host nation, 2-0, at the very same venue to progress into the semifinal of the 2010 AFF Championship for the first time.
That win sparked football’s resurgence and the Azkals became even more popular.
But this time, the opposite is the reality of the men’s squad.
There was a glimmer of hope when twelve-year veteran Patrick Reichelt opened the scoring in the 62nd minute of the match to give the Philippines am early advantage following goalless show in the first half.
It was Reichelt’s 16th international goal for the Philippines to become the second player with the most goals behind the legendary Chieffy Caligdong.
However, Nguyen Tien Linh was able to equalize just three minutes later off a poor defensive effort from the Pinoy booters that saw him score inside the box off a cross from teammate Phan Tuan Tai.
Locked at 1-all, Tien Linh delivered a brace in the 76th minute off a brilliant header right inside the middle of the box to connect with Phan Tuan Tai’s assist this time.
Some crucial moments later, Kevin Ingreso was not coming down without a good fight as he converted on a beautiful left footed finish off a Jesper Nyholm header, who was in between three Vietnamese defenders.
However, as some things have been, the momentum and potential win slipped away as the home bets struck the game-winner in extra time.
Captain Neil Etheridge, who was looking to replicate the moment in Hanoi made the initial stop on Nguyen Tuan Anh’s attempt from outside the box, but Pham saw the golden chance off the rebound that fell directly in front of his lap and went for the kill to the delight of the home crowd.
With only a single point in hand, the Philippines will wrap up the group stage as the bottom seed even if they win against Indonesia on June 11, at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
