Lack of key players helps doom Filipino booters vs Burmese

sports / Array Football HYUNDAI CUP Lack of key players helps doom Filipino booters vs Burmese By: Jonas Terrado - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:15 AM July 30, 2026 Share: The Philippines’ Jarvey Gayoso gestures during the match against Myanmar. —MARLO CUETO The absence of key players from the Philippine men’s football team was evident on Tuesday as the Nationals opened their Asean Hyundai Cup campaign with a 4-1 loss to Myanmar (Burma). Coach Carles Cuadrat, however, insisted there was little choice but to embrace the situation, with the tournament offering younger players an opportunity to gain valuable international experience after the Philippines reached the semifinals two years ago.

Article continues after this advertisement READ: Philippines stumbles vs Myanmar in Asean Hyundai Cup openerFEATURED STORIES SPORTS LIVE: Alex Eala vs Leylah Fernandez - Mubadala DC Open Round of 16 SPORTS Alex Eala ousts Leylah Fernandez to reach DC Open quarterfinals SPORTS Alex Eala expects 'tough' test vs Leylah Fernandez at DC Open “It’s a question of the calendar, and we cannot do anything about the calendar,” Cuadrat said after the Group B opener at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. Cuadrat was referring to key players Ralph Obermair, Randy Schneider, Bjorn Kristensen and Amani Aguinaldo, who were unavailable because the regional tournament falls outside the Fifa international calendar. Kristensen scored three goals for the Philippines during the 2024 edition.

Article continues after this advertisement With clubs not obligated to release players for national team duty, Cuadrat has relied on those available, including midfielders Sandro Reyes, goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad and Tuesday’s lone scorer Jarvey Gayoso, all of whom have previous Asean Championship experience. “The idea was to test some of the players from the [Philippines Football League] and from the U23 team to try to give them the experience,” Cuadrat said. “And I can tell you, that kind of game [against Myanmar] is going to teach a lot to our guys.”

Cuadrat also gave valuable minutes to players still adjusting to the demands of the regional tournament, including Rocket Ritarita, Martini Rey and Kenji Nishioka. He hopes they continue to develop as the campaign progresses. Article continues after this advertisement The Philippines resumes its campaign on Friday against Laos in Vientiane, where it will look to secure its first points of the group stage.

“We have to be positive. We know it’s only the first game and there’s nine more points to be played,” Cuadrat said. “In the last Asean Championship, we had two points after two games.

So now, if we win in Laos, we will have more points—we will have three points.” “So this is the message: to keep competitive, to keep learning,” he added. Your subscription could not be saved.

Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UP By providing an email address.

I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The Philippines is fourth in Group B. Malaysia leads the standings with six points from two matches, followed by Thailand with three points from one game.

Myanmar also has three points after two matches, while Laos remains without a point through two games. READ NEXT Lack of key players helps doom Filipino booters vs Burmese Hernandez jets off to seven-shot Strokeplay lead after 65 EDITORS' PICK Prosecution: LandBank execs’ testimony bolstered Madriaga’s claim Ethics complaint filed vs Pia Cayetano over spliced impeachment video Manila Water calls on customers to support August desludging program Highlights: Day 10 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | July 29, 2026 OVP used 3 to 4 gym bags to carry P125M cash from LandBank – witness Money recovered from flood control kickbacks reaches P841 million – DOJ MOST READ Alex Eala ousts Leylah Fernandez to reach DC Open quarterfinals Magnitude 5.6 quake hits off Quezon town; aftershocks expected Estrada, Marcoleta given committee chairmanships despite detention Ethics complaint filed vs Pia Cayetano over spliced impeachment video View comments EDITORS' PICK MOST READ newsinfo Prosecution: LandBank execs’ testimony bolstered Madriaga’s claim newsinfo Ethics complaint filed vs Pia Cayetano over spliced impeachment video newsinfo Manila Water calls on customers to support August desludging program newsinfo Highlights: Day 10 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | July 29, 2026 newsinfo OVP used 3 to 4 gym bags to carry P125M cash from LandBank – witness newsinfo Money recovered from flood control kickbacks reaches P841 million – DOJ sports Alex Eala ousts Leylah Fernandez to reach DC Open quarterfinals newsinfo Magnitude 5.

6 quake hits off Quezon town; aftershocks expected newsinfo Estrada, Marcoleta given committee chairmanships despite detention newsinfo Ethics complaint filed vs Pia Cayetano over spliced impeachment video newsinfo Prosecution: LandBank e