Singapore – The Philippine Under-16 Boys National Football Team etched their names in history on July 13, 2025, by winning the 2025 Lion City Cup at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore. This triumph marks the Philippines’ first-ever title in the prestigious youth tournament since its revival in 2013, signaling a bright future for Philippine football.
Tournament Journey
The Philippine U16 team, under the guidance of Head Coach Tetsuya Tsuchida, showcased remarkable skill and resilience throughout the tournament, which ran from July 8 to 13, 2025. Competing against youth teams from Singapore, Cambodia, and Hong Kong, the Philippines finished with an undefeated record, earning seven points from two wins and one draw.
| Match Date | Opponent | Result | Key Performers |
| July 9, 2025 | Singapore | 2-0 Win | Joshua Moleje, John Lawrence Binalong, Reign Lewis Deomampo |
| July 11, 2025 | Hong Kong | 1-1 Draw | Aarron Long, Jaime Sandejas, Manuel Enrique Simpao |
| July 13, 2025 | Cambodia | 3-1 Win | Data not available |
The campaign kicked off with a stunning 2-0 victory over host Singapore on July 9. Bacolod-native striker Joshua Gabriel Moleje broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a skillful chip over the advancing Singaporean goalkeeper, Ilhan Rezal. John Lawrence Binalong sealed the win in the 85th minute with a remarkable solo run from the centerline, weaving through the defense to score. Goalkeeper Reign Lewis Deomampo’s heroics were crucial in maintaining a clean sheet.
On July 11, the Philippines faced Hong Kong in a tightly contested match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Manuel Enrique Simpao’s powerful 30-yard shot tested the Hong Kong goalkeeper, while Aarron Long’s equalizer and Jaime Sandejas’ penalty save earned the team a vital point. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) praised the “indomitable #SamaSama spirit” of the squad, with standout performances from Sandejas, Filbert Tacardon, and Long.
The championship was secured on July 13 with a 3-1 comeback victory over Cambodia. Despite falling behind early, the team rallied to clinch the win, which, combined with Singapore’s 4-1 defeat of Hong Kong in the final match, confirmed the Philippines as champions with seven points, one point ahead of Singapore.
Team Preparation and Composition
The Philippine U16 squad was meticulously assembled through the PFF National Talent Identification Network, drawing players from various Regional Football Associations (RFAs), including the National Capital Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Central Visayas, Laguna, Negros Occidental, and Davao. An intensive training camp began on June 30, 2025, reducing an initial 30-player pool to a final roster of 20, guided by UEFA-A licensed coach Roman Oliver’s scouting report.
This victory follows the team’s recent success at the Thailand International Youth Cup in Chonburi, Thailand, in June 2025, where they defeated teams from Thailand and Malaysia. Their strong performance in the 2024 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, including a 7-0 win over Macau and a 2-0 victory against Cambodia, further underscored their growing prowess.
Leadership and Vision
Head Coach Tetsuya Tsuchida emphasized the team’s unity and dedication. “This victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these young athletes,” Tsuchida said. “They have shown that with unity and solidarity, they can achieve great things.”
PFF President John Gutierrez hailed the team’s achievement as a milestone for Philippine football. “We salute our U16 youth team for bringing this honor to our country!” Gutierrez declared. “Your victory brings not only pride and joy but great hope to the young aspiring Filipino footballers from across our nation. Truly, you have shown what a team can achieve with unity and solidarity. Mabuhay kayo!” He also noted that the Lion City Cup is a crucial step in preparing for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled for November 22-30, 2025, in Saudi Arabia.
Tournament Significance
The Lion City Cup, organized by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), is one of Asia’s longest-running youth football tournaments, first established in 1977. The 2025 edition, held at Jalan Besar Stadium, featured both boys’ and girls’ U16 divisions, with the boys’ tournament including teams from the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, and Hong Kong. The competition is considered a precursor to the FIFA U16 World Championship, which began in 1985, and provides a vital platform for young athletes to gain international experience.
A Bright Future
This historic win, coupled with the team’s recent successes, highlights the growing strength of Philippine youth football. Social media posts from fans and media outlets, including ABS-CBN News and Manila Bulletin, celebrated the achievement, noting it as the first international title for the Philippine U16 team in over a decade, since 2013. The victory has sparked excitement across the country, with fans expressing pride in the team’s accomplishments and optimism for the future.
As the Philippine U16 Boys National Team prepares for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, their performance in Singapore serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring Filipino footballers. With continued support from the PFF and stakeholders, this talented squad is poised to make further waves on the international stage.
