PH’s semifinal hopes end in loss to Malaysia

The Philippine men’s football team’s Jarvey Gayoso 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 officially missed out on a semifinals berth in the Asean Hyundai Cup after being handed a 1-0 defeat by Malaysia on Saturday at Kuala Lumpur Stadium.

Slim hopes of qualifying to the semis immediately vanished when G. Pavithran scored a header in the 16th minute that spelled the difference as Malaysia progressed into the last four of the prestigious Southeast Asian competition.

Malaysia will join Group B winner Thailand, defending champion Vietnam and fellow Group A side Singapore in the semis that features all former winners of the competition.

Coach Carles Cuadrat’s side finished the campaign in fourth place with three points on one win and three defeats, missing out on a semis berth which the Philippines did in the last edition back in 2024.

Chances of replicating that feat began to dwindle when the Filipinos were handed a 4-1 defeat by Myanmar in the opener at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

They bagged their only win of the Asean Championship against Laos, 4-1, where they made up for conceding an early opener in Vientiane.

Tuesday saw the Philippines lose 1-0 to Thailand after conceding a goal in the 84th, putting the squad in a difficult situation.

Before the match, the Pinoy squad needed to win by at least six goals, coupled with a Myanmar loss to Thailand, to reach the semis.

Myanmar bowed to Thailand, 2-0, in Bangko during Saturday’s other Group B match.