For national coach Carles Cuadrat, the Philippines’ 3-1 triumph over Timor-Leste was more than just another win. It was proof that months of patient work, scouting, and building chemistry among players from across the globe are finally paying off.
“The work we’ve done months ago is getting results,” Cuadrat said, his voice calm but proud after the match at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium. “This is from the players we got from Europe, the United States, and the local clubs. It’s all starting to come together.”
The victory kept the Azkals within striking distance of a dream berth in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers, a goal Cuadrat has kept firmly in sight since taking over the national squad.
A Long-Term Vision
Cuadrat, who has coached in some of Asia’s toughest football environments, knows success doesn’t happen overnight. Since his appointment, he has focused on instilling discipline, tactical structure, and belief in a team often challenged by roster turnover and limited training time.
“They’re giving good performances,” he said of his players. “We just have to keep them together and go through the process of qualifying. It’s about consistency, not just talent.”
The Spanish coach’s approach has been notably inclusive — blending talents from Europe, the United States, and homegrown clubs in the Philippines. For Cuadrat, this diversity is both a challenge and a strength.
“When players come from different football cultures, the adjustment takes time,” he explained during a post-match chat with reporters at Studio 300 in Makati. “But when you see them working for each other, fighting for the flag — that’s when you know the foundation is there.”
Kristensen Leads the Charge
One of the clearest examples of that foundation came from Fil-Norwegian midfielder Bjørn Kristensen, who scored his eighth goal of the tournament in the 70th minute to break a 1-1 tie against Timor-Leste.
The 23-year-old, standing at 6 feet, has become one of Cuadrat’s most reliable finishers — a player whose presence symbolizes the blend of youth and international pedigree the coach envisions for the Azkals’ future.
“Bjørn’s mentality and work rate are exceptional,” Cuadrat said. “He represents what we want — players who give everything, no matter where they come from.”
With the Philippines and Tajikistan now sharing the top spot in Group A at 3-1-0 (win-draw-loss), the path to qualification is clearer but far from easy. The Azkals next face the Maldives on November 18 in Malé before a crucial rematch with Tajikistan on March 31.
For Cuadrat, every match is another step toward a shared goal — one that goes beyond just qualification.
“We’re not only trying to win games,” he said. “We’re trying to build a national team identity — something the country can be proud of.”
