Sandro Reyes believes the Philippine Men's National Football Team's historic run in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup reignited hope for Philippine football.
Unlike most European countries and even some Asian nations, football is not the top sport in the Philippines.
Philippine men’s football has had its moments over the past decade, but none was bigger than the national team’s valiant run in the 2024 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
Football in the country came alive once more with a legion of supporters trooping to the Rizal Memorial Stadium to see the Philippine Men’s National Football Team create history.
In their Mitsubishi Cup run, the Filipino booters deliverd a historic milestone after beating regional powerhouse Thailand, 2-1, in Leg 1 of the semifinals.
And while the Thais went to secure a 3-1 win on their home turf in Bangkok, advancing to the Finals on aggregate, the Philippines showed that they are ready to compete against their Asian football neighbors once more.
For star midfielder Sandro Reyes, the team’s success was built on the efforts of both the current squad and those who came before them.
“We also have to remember that these older guys you know paved the way they worked so hard over the last years not just [Patrick] Reichelt, not just [Patrick] Dayto but all of the veteran players that were with the team, staff, coaches, everyone that was part of the program,” Reyes said in an interview on One News’ Play by Play.
Despite their heartbreak in the semifinals, Reyes sees great promise in the national team’s outlook come 2025, where they will compete in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualification.
“We have the potential to do bigger things and we'll continue to build on what we started in this Mitsubishi Cup,” said Reyes.
“We're starting our new round of Asian Cup Qualifiers, so just to build on the team's tactical side, still to continue the brotherhood, and to continue to get to know each other. New players will be coming in for sure so that's the most important part I would say,” he added.
With a new sense of hope for Philippine football, the 21-year-old midfielder, who plays for German squad FC Gütersloh, is hopeful of seeing more homegrown talent in the country.
“It doesn't matter even if you're growing up in the Philippines—the likes of myself Harvey, Amani, Dayto, etc—that there's still a way for you to have a career in football, and if you work hard enough, you can enjoy a very beautiful life as we are doing right now, it just depends on you,” Reyes emphasized.