Bjorn Kristensen shrugs off comparisons to Phil Younghusband after scoring a brace in the Philippines’ draw against Tajikistan

The Philippine men’s national football team fought back from a deficit to secure a vital 2-2 draw against Tajikistan in a thrilling AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match on Tuesday night, June 10, at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium.

In front of a passionate crowd of 10,854 fans, Filipino-Norwegian forward Bjorn Kristensen emerged as the hero, netting both goals for the Philippines to ensure a share of the points in interim head coach Carles Cuadrat’s debut.

Kristensen’s heroics in front of goal against Tajikistan led many to compare him to legendary figure Phil Younghusband, who made 108 appearances for the country and scored 52 goals.

However, the 23-year-old, in a media interaction, brushed off comparisons with Younghusband, claiming that he still has a lot to achieve and prove before being compared with the player who famously sealed the Philippines’ spot in the 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“I don’t think I’m a hero yet. I’m still young. There are a lot of good players here in the national team—Kike Linares, the Younghusbands also. I don’t think I’m a hero now—maybe we will see in 10, 15 years,” Kristensen stated.

#WATCH: Bjorn Kristensen shares what it meant to score for the Philippines just days before Independence Day! 🇵🇭⚽

📹 @ickodeg /Tiebreaker Times#LabanPilipinas #AsianCup pic.twitter.com/DAM28uxZhs

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 10, 2025

Kristensen has been prolific in his short international career, already scoring eight goals in 13 appearances for the Philippine men’s national team. He remains a long way behind Younghusband, the country’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals.

The forward believes that the Philippines should have secured victory over Tajikistan and is confident that his team can win their remaining games in the qualifiers to clinch one of the six slots for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

“No, I feel we should have won this game. I don’t think we showed up in the first half like we could have. We did our best to bounce back and, luckily, we got the point. It means a lot—not only for me but for the whole team. So many fans traveled far from Manila and all over the country. So, I want to thank them for coming—and sorry for not winning this game,” he added.

This was the Philippines’ first point after losing their first five games, and they are currently placed at the bottom of the standings in Group F. Kristensen and company will aim to build on this performance and register their first win of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers when they face Timor-Leste on October 9.

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