PHILIPPINE men’s football team head coach Tom Saintfiet said he received death threats from Indonesia fans before their Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifier in Jakarta last Tuesday.
In a report by Vietnamese newspaper VN Express International, Saintfiet said he was misinterpreted by some Indonesia fans who felt that Philippines wanted to help Vietnam move into the next round of the qualifiers.
Before match day, Indonesia needed to win over the Philippines to go past the second round of qualifiers. Vietnam, on the other hand, needed a win over Iraq and a win by the Philippines over Indonesia to advance.
The Philippines lost to Vietnam, 3-2.
READ Philippines out of World Cup 2026 qualifying after sorry loss to Vietnam
“I hope naturally that all Vietnamese fans will support us against Indonesia,” the Belgian coach said last Thursday following PMNT’s defeat to Vietnam. “Because if we beat Indonesia and Vietnam can beat Iraq, then Vietnam has qualified. We will do our best because we want to win every match. It will be difficult."
Indonesia beat the Philippines, 2-0, last Tuesday at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium to clinch a berth in the next phase. Vietnam also bowed out of the qualifiers after dropping its match against Iraq, 3-1, in Barsah.
Lost in translation
Saintfiet said he didn’t appreciate being misquoted by some outlets that resulted in threats from Indonesia fans.
“I answered that Vietnam have a chance. We will also try to beat Indonesia, but not for Vietnam to increase their advancing chance, but for us," Saintfiet said as quoted by the Vietnamese paper.
“I even received death threats because of things I didn't say,” Saintfiet added.
Saintfiet said his priority is to help the Philippines win matches and isn’t focused on other teams.
“I’m not sure if something got lost in translation,” said Saintfiet in a separate press conference held a day before the Philippines-Indonesia.
“I have no benefit if Vietnam qualifies. I have no benefit if Indonesia qualifies. Indonesia, the whole team speaks my language, my mother language is Dutch. I can chat with all your players before the game. I’m closer to Indonesia players than Vietnam players,” he said.
“But I don’t care about Indonesia. I don’t care about Vietnam. I only care about Philippines and Philippines is my country. I’m representing the Philippines and I want to win for the Philippines. It’s my job. It’s my duty,” said Saintfiet.
Three countries face off again in AFF Cup
Incidentally, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam will be competing against each other later this year in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup, a competition between Southeast Asian nations.
The three countries along with Myanmar and Laos belong in Group B.
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, and a country that will win the qualification tournament will play in Group A.
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