Philippine booters miss bus to AFC Asian CupNeeding a victory in the final game of the Qualifiers to advance as Group A winner, the Filipinos went all out and drew first blood on a low strike by debuting Fil-German Raphael Obermair on the 19th minute, wresting the head-to-head edge in their dispute for the lone AC ticket at stake in the group. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine men’s football team came tantalizingly close to qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup but a 1-1 draw with Tajikistan in Tuesday’s away outing ultimately dashed the dream. The protagonists tried in vain to break the deadlock and the final result proved catastrophic for the Pinoy booters in the final round of the Qualifiers. The Tajiks, quarterfinalists in the 2023 edition, thus joined fellow group winners Lebanon, Singapore, Thailand, Syria and Vietnam to next year’s showpiece set Jan. 7 to Feb. 5 in Saudi Arabia. The Filipinos, meanwhile, will have to wait for the next cycle to return to the Asian tilt after previously making their first and only appearance so far in 2019 under the old “Azkals” banner.

Source: Philippine Star April 01, 2026 19:39 UTC