The national men’s football squad isn’t backing down when it battles Iraq in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Philippines head coach Tom Saintfiet of Belgium said his wards will go all out despite competing in the enemy territory with the hopes of improving their standings in Group F following a 0-2 loss to Vietnam last November.
The Filipinos are battling the Lions of Mesopotamia at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq at press time. Then, they will clash anew at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Tuesday.
“It is not wise to talk about our tactics for tomorrow but we will attack. We only have one point in the qualifiers,” Saintfiet said.
“We have players in Europe, Asia and local players but now, we are in a building stage. We have a few players in Europe, such as the Belgian League and in the USA. It is not easy, as we met up in a very short time.”
So far, Iraq has won its first two games in Group F and boasts a goal difference of +5 while the Philippines is in third place with a 0-1-1 win-draw-loss record with a goal difference of -2.
Birmingham City FC goalkeeper and national team veteran Neil Etheridge and Davao Aguilas FC defender Daisuke Sato are expected to be at the helm for the Filipinos, who aim for one of the top two spots in Group F to advance to the next round.
Saintfiet, the architect of Gambia’s quarterfinal run in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, said he expects nothing less than a rowdy home crowd in the Basra Stadium as they try to at least force a draw.
“I don’t like to lose, but the Basra Stadium is frightening. When the Iraqi national anthem is played, for them they get chills. Basra Stadium is impressive to everyone. Iraq has excellent infrastructure,” Saintfiet said.
“Iraq is a very strong team and they have many good players. They have dangerous players on the left and right. We know Zidane Iqbal and Ali Jasim, amongst others.”
