The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup ends for the Philippines.
There was no miracle for the Philippines on Thursday night.
The Philippine Men’s National Team's World Cup dreams ended at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, as they fell short against regional rivals Vietnam, 3-2, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
The Philippines, sitting at the bottom of Group F against Vietnam, Indonesia, and Iraq, needed a win to keep its slim hopes alive in the June window of the second round.
Patrick Reichelt gave the Philippines the lead in the 62nd minute, after the PMNFT squandered golden chances in the first half, beating Van Lam Dang for a dream start.
It was Reichelt’s 16th international goal, tying with legendary Pinoy booter Chieffy Caligdong.
However, that dream Philippine start was cut short.
Vietnam responded in the biggest way, as Tien Linh scored two goals in a span of 11 minutes, connecting in the 65th minute before adding another one in the 76th minute for an impressive brace.
Kevin Ingreso pumped life back to the country late with a left-footed strike off a corner to make it 2-2 in the 89th minute, but Tuan Hai closed the doors on the Philippines with a goa five minutes into stoppage time.
It was a heartbreaking finish for the Philippines, who suffered their third straight loss and stayed in the fourth and last spot in Group F with two draws and three losses.
However, the hopes for securing a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup remains alive.
Vietnam, meanwhile, remains in third place with a win and three losses.
The Pinoy booters had two golden chances to score in the opening half, first from Zico Bailey and then from Patrick Reichelt.
Bailey intercepted a pass from the center field, outsprinted a couple of Vietnamese defenders, and fired a shot past goalkeeper Van Lam Dang, but his attempt sailed wide left in the 19th minute.
Just before halftime, Team Philippines got another chance of drawing first blood when Santi Rublico’s cross met Patrick Reichelt, whose goal attempt then went off target in the 41st minute.
Only the top two teams of Group F will advance to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and automatically book slots in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Iraq already secured one of those spots.
Indonesia is expected to formalize its entry after a final match against the Philippines on June 11.