East Timor vs Philippines: Sprinting for the top spot

08/10/2025 17:38:00 ceshi

The Philippines strive for a commanding win against East Timor to challenge for the top position in Group A with Tajikistan during the 2027 Asian Cup qualification.

When and where to watch East Timor vs Philippines live?

Time: 16:30 on October 9, 2025
Venue: Neutral ground in Australia
Competition: Matchday 3 of Group A - 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers
Live broadcast on: VTV

Expected lineups for East Timor vs Philippines

East Timor: Mendonca Georgino, Zenivio, da Costa, Correia, Farrugia, Santiago da Costa, Freteliano, Gomes Osorio, Freitas Gali, Mouzinho, Joao Pedro.

Philippines: Mendoza, Tabinas, Nyholm, Schneider, Reyes, Ott, Bailey, Baccay, Kristensen, Holtmann.

Preview East Timor vs Philippines: Visitors hold the advantage

The Philippines enter the third matchday with 4 points from two games, directly contesting Tajikistan for the top spot in Group A. To maintain their edge in the race for first place, they must secure a win, ideally by a large margin against East Timor to boost their goal difference. With experienced naturalized players like Bailey, Ott, Holtmann, and Reyes, coach Carles Cuadrat’s team shows strong cohesion and stability. Although playing at a neutral venue in Australia, their superior skill and physicality make the Philippines clear favorites over their opponents.

Philippines targeting a win over Timor Leste

Meanwhile, East Timor, despite an important victory against Maldives in the previous round, is still considered the weakest team in the group. Their style heavily relies on the inspiration of Joao Pedro, making them predictable. Playing away from home further disadvantages them, especially with a defense that lacks focus and often commits individual errors. In their last five matches, East Timor has scored only 2 goals while conceding 10, clearly showing the quality gap compared to the Philippines.

The biggest difference between the two sides lies in their composure and ability to capitalize on chances. The Philippines are currently shaping a disciplined playing style with varied attacks and sustained pressure. With the goal of topping the group, they will not only seek victory but also aim to score as many goals as possible.