The Philippine men’s national football team had a triumphant return to home soil, overpowering Guam 5-1 on Wednesday night in the opening match of the PFF Tri-Nation Friendlies at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Playing before a crowd of 2,243 fans, the PMNFT showcased an impressive attacking display under head coach Carles Cuadrat, extending his unbeaten start with the team. The Filipinos had already built a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime before substitute Andrei Leipold added two second-half goals to seal the emphatic victory.
Newcomer Cole Mrowka opened the scoring in the sixth minute, marking his international debut with a goal. Harvey Gayoso doubled the advantage in the 18th minute, while Santiago Rublico made it 3-0 just before halftime.
Leipold then completed the rout with goals in the 64th minute and deep into stoppage time.
Guam’s lone goal came in the 60th minute through Levi Berg, who capitalized on a defensive mistake involving Philippine goalkeeper Quincy Kameraad. Despite the setback, the visitors suffered their fourth consecutive international defeat against the Philippines.
The match also highlighted the impact of the squad’s younger players. The 20-year-old Mrowka, who plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, announced his arrival with an early strike after converting a rebound that bounced over Guam goalkeeper Josiah Jones.
Gayoso’s goal came after he reacted quickest to his own saved header, blasting home from close range. Rublico, a Madrid-born defender who developed through the youth ranks of Atlético de Madrid, scored his first international goal when he calmly rolled the ball into an empty net with the Guam goalkeeper out of position. The 20-year-old celebrated by jumping onto the back of midfielder Sandro Reyes.
The Philippines will conclude its campaign in the three-nation tournament on June 9 against Myanmar, which opens its participation against Guam on Friday at the same venue.