Phl booters score breakthrough victory

The Philippine national men’s football team may have missed the knockout stages of the 20th Asian Games, but head coach Garrath McPherson believes the experience will accelerate the development of the country’s under-23 program.

The Philippines finished with a 1-2 win-loss record but snapped a 68-year wait for an Asian Games victory after beating Kuwait, 2-1, last Tuesday at the CS Asset Minato Soccer Stadium.

Santi Rublico and Andres Aldeguer scored the goals that gave the Nationals their first Asiad win since 1958.

“I feel very happy for the players, the staff and the supporters both here in Japan and at their homes across the globe. I feel honored to be in a position to work with the players and staff we have in the U23 program. We continue to grow and learn together,” McPherson said.

“Big tournaments like these give us a greater level of challenge, push us to our limit. This is how we grow.”

The U23 squad has made steady progress under McPherson, reaching the semifinals of the ASEAN U23 Championship last year for the first time since the tournament began in 2005 before finishing fourth.

With the next Asian Games set for 2031 in Doha, McPherson said the Philippines must build on its experience in Nagoya and continue developing its young players.

“It continues to show that with investment into our players they can show their quality, competing at this level. We must use the lessons learnt at this tournament to ensure we remain consistently strong in our regional competitions,” McPherson said.

“We have 10 players in this squad that will form part of the (born) 2005 cycle. These players now have experience they can bring to help us succeed.”