SUMA.ID – The Philippines U-23 National Team kept their semifinal hopes alive in the ASEAN U-23 Championship with a commanding 2-0 win over Brunei Darussalam in their final Group A match at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, on Monday night, July 21, 2025.
Key Highlights
- Philippines U-23 defeated Brunei 2-0 in their last Group A match.
- The victory secured the Philippines the runner-up position in Group A.
- With six points from three matches, the Philippines await results from other groups to confirm semifinal qualification via the best runner-up pathway.
- Indonesia topped Group A with seven points, while Malaysia (three points) and Brunei (zero points) were eliminated.
Match Recap
The Philippines dominated from the opening whistle, applying relentless pressure on Brunei’s defense. Their efforts paid off in the 20th minute when a foul in Brunei’s penalty area led to a penalty kick. Forward Javier Alessandro Jacutin Mariona calmly converted, sending the ball to the right side of the net past Brunei’s goalkeeper, Muhd Khairul Hisyam, to give the Philippines a 1-0 lead.
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Despite their control, the Philippines faced resistance from Brunei’s goalkeeper, who made several crucial saves to keep the scoreline tight. The first half ended with the Philippines leading 1-0.
The game shifted in the second half when Brunei’s Azrin Danial was sent off with a red card in the 55th minute for a dangerous challenge, leaving his team with 10 players. The Philippines capitalized on their numerical advantage, maintaining pressure and creating multiple scoring opportunities.
The second goal arrived in the 85th minute through a swift counterattack. Javier Mariona delivered a precise pass into the penalty area, where Harry James Nunez finished with a clinical right-footed strike to the left corner of Brunei’s goal, sealing the 2-0 victory.
Semifinal Prospects
This win earned the Philippines six points, placing them second in Group A behind group leaders Indonesia. Their advancement to the semifinals now depends on their standing among the best second-placed teams across the three groups. The outcomes of Vietnam vs. Cambodia in Group B and Thailand vs. Myanmar in Group C will determine their fate.
Group A Standings
- Indonesia: 7 points (Group A winners)
- Philippines: 6 points (Runner-up, awaiting best second-place qualification)
- Malaysia: 3 points (Eliminated)
- Brunei Darussalam: 0 points (Eliminated)
Looking Ahead
The Philippines U-23 team showcased resilience and attacking prowess in their victory over Brunei. Fans eagerly await the final group-stage results to see if their team will advance to the semifinals of the ASEAN U-23 Championship. Stay tuned for updates on their journey!
Keywords: Philippines U-23, ASEAN U-23 Championship, Brunei Darussalam, semifinal qualification, Group A, football, Javier Mariona, Harry Nunez
