MANILA – The Philippine Under-15 men’s national football team unleashed a five-goal offensive barrage to overpower Aruba, 5-2, and regain its winning touch in the Tier D classification round of the 2026 FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival on Thursday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Quito Pascual struck twice, while Micah Alva, Dan Becera and Sylar Alcantara contributed a goal each as the young Filipinos secured their fourth victory in the tournament, bouncing back from consecutive defeats to Tajikistan and Zimbabwe.
Aruba drew first blood through Tysheron Commis in the 10th minute, but Pascual equalized nine minutes later with a left-footed finish off a long kick-in from the right.
Alva put the Philippines ahead early in the second half with a deflected shot before Jaymilliano Herkul pulled Aruba level at 2-2 in the 24th minute.
The Filipinos then seized control as Pascual completed his brace in the 28th minute, again converting a kick-in from the right flank.
Becera widened the gap in the 32nd minute after receiving a long pass from Jonas Oliverio, who also assisted Alcantara’s left-footed finish during a transition attack.
Head coach Roxy Dorlas credited his players’ improved ball movement and clinical finishing for the convincing victory.
“I’m really proud of the teams’ performance. The players worked really hard for this win, and they fully deserved it,” Dorlas said. “We moved the ball around much better and controlled the tempo of the game. The big difference in this game was that we took our chances and scored five goals.”
The victory provided a timely recovery for the Philippines, which had suffered a 3-0 setback against Tajikistan following its 2-0 classification-round triumph over Macau.
Earlier Thursday, the Filipinos also squandered a two-goal advantage in a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Zimbabwe.
Alcantara and Becera had given the Philippines a promising start before Zimbabwe rallied with three unanswered goals, capped by a late winner from captain Marlon Zuruvi.
Despite the setbacks, the Filipinos regrouped against Aruba, displaying the attacking efficiency that had been missing in their previous outings.
Dorlas said the squad was determined to sustain its momentum and finish its campaign strongly against Andorra./PN
