The other day I was watching the FilOil preseason highlights, and I found myself thinking about how individual brilliance often translates into team success—something the Philippines national football team desperately needs right now. While I'm primarily analyzing football here, that basketball performance by Letran's returning player—scoring 21 points with perfect two-point shooting alongside seven assists and three rebounds—reminds me how impactful a single player's return can be for team dynamics. This preseason energy is exactly what our Azkals should harness as they rebuild.
Let me be honest—I've been following Philippine football for over a decade, and the recent results have been... frustrating. The 2-1 loss to Vietnam in the AFF Championship last November still stings, particularly because we conceded both goals in the final twenty minutes. Our defensive organization completely collapsed when it mattered most. The statistics tell a grim story—we've won only three of our last twelve international matches, and our FIFA ranking has slipped to 135th globally. That's our lowest position since 2017, and frankly, it reflects the regression I've observed in our tactical discipline. The 0-0 draw against Indonesia last month was slightly better defensively, but our inability to create clear chances worried me—we managed just two shots on target despite having 47% possession.
What really concerns me is our midfield transition. Against Malaysia in December, we completed only 68% of our passes in the final third—that's simply not good enough at international level. I've noticed we're particularly vulnerable to high-press systems, often losing possession within three passes when opponents push up. Our 3-1 friendly victory against Mongolia back in October showed glimpses of improvement, with Javier Gayoso's creative movement creating space, but we haven't consistently replicated that fluidity. The data shows we've scored first in only four of our last ten matches—we're constantly playing catch-up football, and that mentality needs to change.
Here's where I think we could learn from other Philippine sports—like that impressive basketball performance I mentioned earlier. That player's immediate impact upon returning demonstrates how familiarity with systems and teammates creates chemistry. Our football team has had too much roster instability—we've used 34 different players across the last six matches. That lack of consistency in selection prevents the development of understanding that top international teams display. I'd argue we need to commit to a core group of 18-20 players and stick with them through this rebuilding phase, even if it means short-term growing pains.
The upcoming World Cup qualifiers in March present both challenge and opportunity. We're facing Japan—arguably Asia's best team—and I'll be brutally honest: expecting a positive result would be unrealistic. But what I want to see is competitive spirit and tactical organization. If we can keep the scoreline respectable and avoid the defensive collapses that have plagued us recently, that would represent progress. Our match against China PR following that will be the real test—they're beatable, ranked just 25 places above us, and I believe we should target at least a point from that fixture.
What encourages me is the emerging young talent. I've been particularly impressed with Oliver Bias during the youth tournaments—his technical ability and decision-making suggest he could be ready for senior team integration. The data from our U23 team's recent performances shows promising signs too—they've scored in eight consecutive matches against Southeast Asian opposition. This pipeline of talent needs careful nurturing though—rushing these players into the senior setup without proper preparation could hinder their development.
Looking at our regional context, the gap between us and Southeast Asia's top teams has definitely widened. Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia have all implemented structured development programs that we're still catching up to. Our football association needs to prioritize long-term planning over quick fixes—the focus should be on establishing a clear playing philosophy across all age groups. Personally, I'd love to see us adopt a more possession-oriented approach rather than the reactive counter-attacking we often default to.
As I analyze our recent performances, the pattern that emerges is one of inconsistency—brilliant moments followed by elementary mistakes. That 3-2 victory against Timor-Leste last September showcased our attacking potential, but the two goals we conceded from set pieces highlighted defensive fragility. We've kept just two clean sheets in our last fourteen matches, and that simply has to improve if we want to compete seriously.
The road ahead is challenging, but not hopeless. With strategic planning, consistent selection, and patience with our emerging talents, I believe we can climb back up the rankings. The passion of Filipino football fans remains incredible—I've attended matches where the support was genuinely world-class. Now we need the team's performances to match that enthusiasm. The foundation is there—we just need to build smarter rather than harder.
