Historic win in Singapore sees the Philippines clinch their first Lion City Cup title since the tournament’s revival.
The Philippine Under-16 Boys National Football Team made history on Sunday, 13 July 2025, by securing the championship title at the 2025 Lion City Cup, held at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
The young squad topped the four-nation tournament with an impressive record of two wins and one draw, collecting a total of seven points. Their triumph was confirmed after host nation Singapore defeated Hong Kong 4-1 in the closing match.
The Philippines kicked off their campaign with a determined 2-0 victory over Singapore on 9 July, followed by a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Hong Kong on 11 July. In their final match on 13 July, the team rallied from an early setback to secure a 3-1 win against Cambodia, ensuring their place at the summit of the table.
This milestone marks the Philippines’ first Lion City Cup title since the tournament’s revival in 2013. The winning squad featured talented young players representing football associations from the National Capital Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Central Visayas, Laguna, Negros Occidental, and Davao.
Head Coach Tetsuya Tsuchida praised his team’s discipline and resilience, stating, “The players gave everything to get these results. This victory belongs to all of them and to Philippine football.” The Philippine Embassy in Singapore also extended its congratulations, encouraging the Filipino community to continue supporting the nation’s rising football talents.
