Asian Games: PH men's football team absorbs 5-1 loss to Uzbekistan to start campaign

The Philippine men’s football team fell apart in the second half to absorb a 5-1 loss to Uzbekistan in the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday at the Nagoya City Minato Soccer Field in Japan.

The Filipinos entered halftime trailing by just one goal and managed to pull one back in the second half, but Uzbekistan responded with four more goals to seal the lopsided victory.

Muhammadali Urinboev put Uzbekistan on the board in the 30th minute, heading home a cross from Ollabergan Karimov to create a 1-0 lead before Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev struck in the 60th minute to double the advantage.

The Philippines quickly responded, with Martin Merino pulling one back in the 62nd minute.

But the Philippines’ defense collapsed from there, with Uzbekistan scoring three more goals courtesy of another strike from Saidnurullayev and goals from Ruziboy Fayzullaev and Mukhammedali Reimov.

The Filipinos, now at 0-0-1 win-draw-loss card in Group C, will look to bounce back on Friday against Vietnam.

—JMB, GMA News