The Philippine men’s national football team beat Maldives, 4-1, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. on March 25, 2025 during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

FOOTBALL 

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174291646013820250325afc-asia-cup-qualifiers-ph-maldives-JC27.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Philippine men’s national football team beat Maldives, 4-1, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. on March 25, 2025 during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Philippine men’s national football team beat Maldives, 4-1, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. on March 25, 2025 during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>CAPAS, Tarlac (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — The Philippine men&#x27;s national football team opened the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in triumphant fashion.</p><p>The Nationals took an early lead in Group A after clobbering Maldives, 4-1, during their rainy Tuesday evening clash at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.</p><p>The Albert Capellas-mentored squad is now at 1-0, and they will still face Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, and Maldives again in the double-round robin which will conclude in March 2026.</p><p>&quot;Job done,&quot; said Capellas during the post-match press conference. &quot;These are the types of games that we need to win if we need to qualify. It&#x27;s always important to start with a win. With the point-advantage, we are on top, and we can&#x27;t wait to face Tajikistan next.&quot;</p><p>A standout for PH was Filipino-Swiss Randy Schneider who made his national team debut by scoring a goal for the country. </p><p>&quot;You can see it in the game, I felt good,&quot; the 23-year-old said. &quot;The Philippines have welcomed me since the first day, so I hope I can continue like this.&quot;</p><div>[[PHOTO ALBUM]]</div><p>The home side was the first to get on the scoreboard, with Jefferson Tabinas converting on a header in the fifth minute for a 1-0 lead.</p><p>A few minutes later, Bjorn Kristensen then doubled the Philippines&#x27; advantage, 2-0, after his right-footed strike inside the box in the 17th minute of the contest.</p><p>Maldives, however, looked to chase the home bets in the second half as Ali Fasir gave his squad their first conversation in the 62nd minute to cut their deficit to half, 2-1.</p><p>Unfortunately for the guests, this proved to be the nearest that they could get as the Philippines managed to maintain their dominance later on. </p><p>Schneider, who assisted Kristensen&#x27;s goal earlier, was vital in giving the Nationals a 3-1 lead after his debut goal in the 77th minute, while Sandro Reyes pushed their cushion to three, 4-1, after his attempt reached the back of the net at the extended 92nd minute before the final horn.</p><p>Up next for PH is an encounter with Tajikistan which is scheduled for June 10.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N3B4C_Jus5Q?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine men’s national football team opened the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in triumphant fashion.</p>

The Philippine men’s national football team opened the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in triumphant fashion.

AFC: Philippines scores convincing win vs. Maldives in Asian Cup Qualifiers | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Lifestyle

Sports

More

Traffic

Horoscope

Other Sports

AFC: Philippines scores convincing win vs. Maldives in Asian Cup Qualifiers

AFC: Philippines scores convincing win vs. Maldives in Asian Cup Qualifiers

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 25, 2025 09:02 PM PHT

|

Updated Mar 26, 2025 01:09 AM PHT

Read More:

Football

ABSSports

ABSNews

Philippine men's national football team

AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers

AFC

Philippines vs. Maldives

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.