SPORTING a new look while flashing the same attacking mindset, the Philippines opened its campaign to return to the AFC Asian Cup with a bang late Tuesday night, trouncing Maldives 4-1 at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Spanish coach Albert Capellas utilized his revamped side to the hilt, exploiting the Nationals’ midfield talent and depth to humble the Maldivians in Group A of the third round of the qualifiers.
They were tied with Tajikistan, which beat Timor Leste 1-0 in the Tajiik capital of Dushanbe the same night, with three points each but had a better goal difference that bodes well in their comeback drive to the Asian continental football showcase since the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates.
Fil-Swiss midfielder Randy Schneider emerged as the star of the show, setting up two of the country’s goals and scoring one in a remarkable national team debut barely two weeks after securing his Philippine passport.
He had a precise right corner kick that landed inside the Maldivian goalbox, with defender Jefferson Tabinas rising to slam in the left-footed icebreaker in the sixth minute.
Thirteen minutes later, while evading three defenders, he fed Fil-Norwegian striker Bjorn Kristensen for the team’s second goal that staked the hosts to a 2-0 edge at the break.
Due to a rare defensive lapse, Maldives managed to snatch one goal in the 62nd minute courtesy of Ali Fasir, but the potential rally was nipped in the bud by Schneider, who scored his first national goal in the 77th minute to seal the deal.
Midfielder Sandro Reyes, who surprisingly received a yellow card, put the icing on the cake in the 92nd minute with a 30-yard blast near the penalty spot, capping the big night to the delight of over 3,000 hometown fans who trooped to the arena two hours away from Manila and braved a downpour for most of the game.
“Well, it was a job well done. These are the games you have to win at home if we want to qualify for the Asian Cup. It is a good start, especially for the players as well as the federation that has been working very hard for this success,” said Capellas, beaming, during the post-match press conference.
“We can’t wait to play Tajikistan here at home in front of our people. For sure, we will fight for the first position,” added the Spanish tactician of their pivotal home match against the Tajiks on June 10.
“I am very proud of my start. I never thought of this and playing with a team like this, it is a great feeling,” Schneider, who earned Man-of-the-Match honors, said at the same briefing.
“Since the first day I came to the Philippine team – the coach, the staff and players – everything has been great. My relatives are here, so I am very glad they came today to witness our first win,” added Schneider, whose mother was born in Mandaluyong.
Capellas said that the appreciation was mutual, pointing out that “I really want to say thank you to players like Randy. I visited him personally and he was really open to coming.
“He was waiting for the right moment and he decided that the right moment was now. I am very happy that he can be a part of the Philippine national team family.
“We have very good players and I have to tell you that we have a bright future for the Philippine national team. This is the very first step to the AFC Asian Cup in 2027.”
Schneider acknowledged that the fans’ expectations were high in the next match “and I hope we can continue going on like this.”
