By: Gil Moriones
MANILA -- The Philippine Men's National Football Team finally claimed their first three points of the continuing 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup in a decisive 3-1 victory vs. Laos at New Laos National Stadium in Vientaine on Saturday night.
The PMNFT done better in their previous meeting against the home team last 2024 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup where they ended in 1-1, thanks to Sandro Reyes' equalizer.
The 5th time semifinalists stormed in the second half giving four goals enough to invalidate 1-0 in the first half.
The potential goal of the tournament was produced by Damoth Thongkhamsavath in the 7th minute as he booted his attempt outside the box making Quincy Kammeraad slipped from his hands after holding it.
The home team went down to 10-men after referee gave Phetdavanh Somsanid marching orders after a red card verified in the VAR review after he committed bad foul against Jarvey Gayoso.
A supposedly equalizer for Kenji Nishioka through his header at the 29th minute but it was nullified after VAR intervened citing it was an offside play by Gabriel Muens.
A minute after second half started right-back John Lucero scored his booming goal to officially equalized with Laos and tallied his first international goal.
Then, the Philippines took the lead after Viengxay Sydavong committed an own goal after as swayed Cole Mrowka's attempt which deflected going to their net at the 53rd minute.
Third goal of the Philippines was paved through Jarvey Gayoso's converted attempt in penalty spot after a Lao defender extended his hands inside the box at the 60th minute.
Finally, the storm completed as Team Captain Daisuke Sato pounced the ball hard with his header making Kop not able to tap it at the 89th minute making 4-1 for the away side.
The Philippines officially eliminated Laos after serving them their third straight after two lop-sided losses against Thailand and Malaysia earlier.
The PMNFT earned their first three points of the campaign and erased their -3 goal differential which sustained from their opening 4-1 loss against Myanmar last Wednesday.
They will meet Thailand at home on Tuesday.
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