BY: Gil Moriones
MANILA --- After 68 years since their 1-0 win over Japan in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, the under-23 squad of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team finally ended the nearly seven-decade drought with a 2-1 victory against Kuwait in their Group C campaign conclusion at the Asian Games Men’s Football, held at CS Asset Minato Soccer Stadium in Nagoya on Tuesday afternoon.
Although the Philippines were already eliminated from contention, this win also marked their first since the inception of the under-23 squad format in Men’s Football, introduced at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
The 2025 SEA Games semifinalists took the lead in the 19th minute when Michael Baldisimo delivered a cross to the near post.
Andres Aldeguer played a dummy header, allowing the ball to land at Santi Rublico’s feet and Rublico controlled it on his first touch and perfectly slotted it into the net on his second.
However, Scott Woods—called up for the FIFA ASEAN Cup—put the Philippines in trouble in the 65th minute, attempting to clear an accurate Kuwait cross, his powerful touch redirected the ball toward his own goal. Nicholas Guimaraes was unable to reach it, leveling the score at 1-1.
The match seemed destined for a draw until freshly fielded Jared Peña drove into Kuwait’s defense and was tripped by a defender, prompting the referee to award a penalty to the Philippines in the 89th minute.
Andres Aldeguer, assigned to take the spot kick, calmly converted the winning goal by striking the ball to the left side of Kuwait’s frame, making it 2-1 in the 90+1 minute.
The U23 PMNFT will leave Aichi-Nagoya with three points—one win and two losses against Uzbekistan (5-1) and Vietnam (2-0). Both Uzbekistan and Vietnam will progress to the next stage.
Meanwhile, Sandro Reyes, who did not feature in the match, and Woods will now focus on their first FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign after receiving call-ups.
