Group F: Vietnam 3-2 Philippines
Hanoi: Vietnam came back from a goal down to edge the Philippines 3-2 in Group F of their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ match on Thursday.
Pham Tuan Hai scored the winner in second half added time as Vietnam kept their hopes alive, moving within one point of second-placed Indonesia in the standings.
Vietnam piled on the pressure from the start and came close to taking the lead in the 10th minute when Nguyen Hoang Duc played the ball through to Do Hung Dung, whose well-timed pass to Nguyen Tien Linh was foiled by Jesper Nyholm.
The Philippines, yet to taste victory, almost broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Do Hung Dung gave away possession in the centre, allowing Zico Bailey to weave his way through only to pull his effort just wide after beating the onrushing Dang Van Lam.
Vietnam looked threatening every time they played the ball forward with Nguyen Quang Hai combining well with Tien Linh on numerous occasions, with the midfielder coming close when he whizzed his free-kick over the bar in the 28th minute.
With less than five minutes left in the half, the home side almost paid the price when Adrian Ugelvik made a darting run down the right and sent an inviting ball into the box but Kuala Lumpur City forward Patrick Reichelt botched his effort from close range.
Vietnam continued their attacking approach in the second half but it was the Philippines who took the lead in spectacular fashion in the 62nd minute when Reichelt latched onto Alex Monis’ long pass, evaded his marker and slipped the ball past Van Lam.
The Philippines’ joy, however, was short lived as Vietnam levelled the score three minutes later when Phan Tuan Tai powered his way into the box before setting up Tien Linh for a close-range finish.
Kim Sang-Sik’s second half tactical changes paid off handsomely as substitute Phan Tuan Tai’s cross in the 76th minute was met with a towering header from Tien Linh.
However, a lapse in concentration with just two minutes left on the clock allowed the Philippines to draw level after Jesper Nyholm redirected his header onto the path of Kevin Ingreso to volley home into the roof of the net.
Vietnam threw everything into the game and were rewarded in the second minute of added time after Neil Etheridge failed to hold on to Nguyen Tuan Anh’s long range effort, allowing Pham to score off the rebound.
They play group winners Iraq on Tuesday with the Philippines to meet Indonesia.
