The Philippine Men’s National Football Team answered its critics in the most emphatic way possible. Four days after a bruising 1-4 defeat to Myanmar, the Azkals stormed back from a halftime deficit to demolish Laos 4-1 in Vientiane.

The win sets up a pivotal Group B showdown against Thailand on home soil.

The victory equals the Philippines’ biggest-ever winning margin over Laos in ASEAN Championship history, matching a 4-1 result from the 2014 edition in Hanoi. More importantly, it breathes new life into a campaign that looked shaky just days earlier.

A shaky start turns into a statement

Laos struck first, catching the Philippines off guard in the seventh minute when Damoth Thongkhamsavath pounced on a loose ball after an initial save from goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad. Five minutes later, the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Phetdavanh Somsanith was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Jarvey Gayoso.

Even with the extra man, the Philippines couldn’t find an equalizer before the break. Kenji Nishioka tested the Laos goalkeeper repeatedly and had a headed goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Daisuke Sato also went close with a header, but the Azkals went into the locker room trailing 1-0.

The story changed almost immediately after halftime. John Lucero leveled the score just two minutes into the second half, scoring his first senior international goal. Five minutes later, relentless pressure forced Laos into an own goal through Viengxay Sidavong.

Gayoso then converted a 60th-minute penalty for his seventh international goal. Captain Daisuke Sato sealed it in the 88th minute with a header off a Nishioka free kick.

“After the goal conceded we were able to come back, we were able to fix the things that needed to be fixed,” Nishioka said. “In the second half we used both spaces between the midfield and the opponent so we got nice areas. Those areas we maximized so that we break through the defense line of Laos.”

Federation praises resolve as Thailand looms

PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez did not hold back in praising his team’s response. “After the painful 1-4 result against Myanmar at home, showing this level of resolve against Laos was a true test of our team’s character and fight,” Gutierrez said.

“Trailing 1-0 at halftime after a difficult opening 45 minutes, our boys could have let the pressure get the better of them. Instead, they stepped onto the pitch for the second half and scored four goals with relentless energy, tactical discipline, and pure heart.”

Head coach Carles Cuadrat echoed that sentiment. “The boys responded well, understood what we needed in the second half and showed the right character to find a way to get the result,” Cuadrat said.

Gutierrez also acknowledged the roster challenges the team faced, given that the Hyundai Cup falls outside the FIFA international match calendar. “Despite the Philippine Football Federation’s best efforts to appeal to international clubs to release our players, not everyone was available for national team duty because of their club commitments,” he said.

“Despite those challenges, we assembled the strongest squad available, and we are incredibly proud of every player who answered the call to represent our country.”

The result lifts the Philippines to three points in Group B with an even goal difference. Attention now turns to Tuesday, August 4, when the Azkals host Thailand at New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, in a match that could define the rest of their Hyundai Cup campaign.

“This victory is an important response, but it is also another in our journey of building a stronger Philippine national team for the future,” Gutierrez said.