PH needs big win vs Malaysia to reach semis

The Philippine men’s football team during the match vs Thailand in the 2026 Asean Hyundai Cup at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine men’s football team will need every luck it can get in order to sneak a semifinals berth in the Asean Hyundai Cup as it takes on Malaysia at the conclusion of the group stage on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur.

To get out of Group B as one of the two best teams, the Philippines must beat Malaysia by at least six goals at 9 p.m. inside Kuala Lumpur Stadium and hope for a Myanmar loss to Thailand in their match in Bangkok.

READ: Asean Cup: PH’s semifinals hopes take hit after loss to Thailand

“Hopefully we can do something special and we go from there,” said goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad.

Odds are stacked heavily against coach Carles Cuadrat’s side, currently sitting fourth in the group with three points on one win and two defeats.

Thailand leads on nine points, while Malaysia and Myanmar are tied at six points each.

Behind the Philippines is Laos, which has dropped all four of its matches to become the first team to get eliminated.

The Philippines’ chances of making the semis for the second straight time dimmed last Tuesday when it lost 1-0 to Thailand at New Clark City Athletics Stadium after conceding a goal in the 84th minute.