The Philippines suffered yet another embarrassing beatdown in the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers as host Thailand gave the visiting Filipinos a rude 5-0 welcome in the tournament last Wednesday night at Buriram City Stadium.
The Thais got off to an early 2-0 lead in the 14th minute and 16th minute, before ending the first half with a 4-0 advantage. Another goal in the 75th minute completed the final score. Both teams are in Group H of the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Iraq and Brunei Darussalam are the other two teams.
To say the Thais outduelled our team will be an understatement. Except for yellow cards (0-3), Thailand dominated the stats, the most glaring of which was the 72% possession in favor of the host. It would take a miracle for a team, having only 28% touches on the ball, to win a game. As it turned out, we never even had a chance to take a shot on the goal. The Thais, on the other hand, made all their five attempts. If the stats are bad enough, the actual game was an eyesore for those supporting the Pinoy side.
Except for a lone win against Timor Leste, our local youth teams have been disappointments in international tournaments as of late or under the term of the new administration of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). Our U16 boys went winless, losing three games, in the U16 AFF Tournament, while the U19 squad went 1-2 in their own competition. The U20 AFC team needs to beat Iraq and Brunei to at least entertain the thought of surviving the group stage. But then again, with the way the boys played against Thailand, it would be nothing short of a miracle to accomplish this.
Which begs the next question, how long does the PFF intend to send mediocre teams in youth competitions? Why not prioritize assembling the best possible squads instead of this “homegrown first mentality” which, if based on past performances, is not working. From what I heard, there were so many foreign-based Filipinos, who came over during the national tryouts and even more are in peak forms abroad, but only a few managed to join the teams.
Do we really expect that a few standouts can really win the games for us if they have teammates, who are not up to the tasks?
And how much more do we have to suffer from these embarrassing losses and poor performances?
Remember these youth team players are expected to form our senior team in the future.
Tagalugin ko na lang, hindi ba kayo nahihiya na ganito mga team na pinapadala natin?
And I’m saying this in a very pragmatic way.
On a more optimistic matter, the local domestic league returns this coming weekend with games featuring the current favorites in the 10-team competitions.
The newly-resettled Loyola FC will open the new season with a 4 p.m. encounter against Davao Aguilas FC tomorrow at Rizal Football Stadium (RFS), while Maharlika FC takes on the new-look Stallion Laguna FC at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, September 29, Mendiola FC will battle Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in the opener at 4 p.m. This will be followed by the Manilla Digger FC vs One Taguig FC tussle at 7 p.m. still at RFS.
The Davao Aguilas FC, Stallion Laguna FC and One Taguig FC made massive changes in their lineups and are expected to go deep in the 2024-2025 season. Despite this, however, Kaya FC Iloilo remains the outstanding favorite to win the crown in the 10-team competitions. But then again, bilog ang bola sa football.
If plans push through, there will be a new football pitch in the Southern part of NCR in the future. An agreement is in the works to establish a major sports hub that will include a football pitch in the planned facility. As it is, a modern-day football pitch will go a long way in providing an alternative venue for international and domestic competitions in the country. Especially now that the RFS is in need of a major overhaul.
Many players, including visiting foreign teams, have aired their complaints against the current state of the artificial turf of RFS. Foreign football fans have also lambasted the artificial pitch whenever their teams play in the country. After more than 10 years, the RFS pitch is really in need of replacement or refurbishment, whatever the correct term is the proper way to address its condition. And hopefully soon, before a player suffers a major injury due to its poor conditions.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
