JAKARTA - The Philippines is confirmed to be in Group B after the 2024 AFF Cup draw. In a group with Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, The Azkals did not want to just be a consolation team.
This was conveyed by the Philippines national team coach, Freddy Gonzalez. He said that his team did not want to be an entertainer because he was aware of the great potential of the opposing teams in Group B, especially with Vietnam and Indonesia, which are now starting to show their spurs.
"Even though they have always been tough opponents in Southeast Asia, our close relationship with the Vietnam and Indonesia teams has recently continued to benefit our team, that's why we don't want to just be entertainers," Freddy Gonzalez was quoted as saying by The Thao 24 on Friday, May 24.
Before finally meeting with competing teams in Group B of the 2024 AFF Cup, the Philippines will also face Vietnam and Indonesia first. The meeting will take place in June in the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone.
According to the coach, the agenda will be a preparatory event for his team to appear in the 2024 AFF Cup which once again makes them meet with the Garuda Squad.
SEE ALSO:
"There is hope to get good results for us (the Philippines national team) in the 2nd Qualification Cup match of the 2026 World Cup with our opponents in Southeast Asia. Because this will be our stepping stone to the championship at the Southeast Asian Football Championship (AFF Cup 2024) next November and meet with several more of the same teams," he concluded.
Currently, both the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam are in a fierce competition to penetrate the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone. However, the Philippines has so far appeared less impressive because of the four matches they have only managed to get one draw and three defeats.
From this result, the Philippines is now in the position of caretaker of Group F for the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone with one point. Meanwhile, in the remaining two matches of the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone, the Philippines will face Vietnam on June 6 and continue with Indonesia on June 11.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
