Rebuilding the Philippine men’s national football team is next in the pipeline.
National coach Tom Saintfiet said this after the Team Philippines ended its campaign at the 2026 FIFA-Asian Football Confederation World Cup qualification second round with a 0-2 loss to Indonesia on Tuesday.
Saintfiet said this is what needs to be done when action ended at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta in a match watched by 65,000 fans.
“I think we can build on this team. There are about 5-6 players in the pipeline,” said coach Saintfiet during a post-match presser.
Goals for Indonesia came from Thom Haye’s right-footed strike and Rizky Ridho’s header in the 32nd and 56th minutes, respectively.
This sent the Philippines tumbling to their fifth defeat in Group F — its worst showing in World Cup qualification since 2011.
Team Philippines is expected to compete with a revamped roster in the coming 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third-round competition in March 2025.
There will be six groups in this phase, with the group winners advancing to the tournament proper.
“We’re going to use the games in September, October and November to play friendlies to prepare, but I think the frame of the team is created,” added Saintfiet.
Sainfiet described the game of Indonesia as strong and clinical.
“But we learned a lot. I’m satisfied with my team. We will be ready for the Mitsubishi Cup, and later on, the Asian Cup qualification next year,” added Saintfiet.
