From Record Defeat to Record Victory – The Philippines Make Their Mark in Chengdu
CHENGDU. From a 17–2 loss to Singapore in 2019 to a 14–0 win over China this year. In just five years, the Philippine men’s national floorball team has climbed from 34th place in the world to 12th – and now made their debut at The World Games. A journey that says more than the numbers in the results.
Historic Breakthrough
The World Games is an international multi-sport event under the International Olympic Committee, featuring sports that are not yet part of the Olympic program. For floorball, it was the fourth time the sport has been included since 1997 – for the Philippines, the very first.
The men’s team qualified as the top Asian nation after a strong performance at the World Championships in Malmö 2024. It was the culmination of several years of progress: defeating rivals Thailand on home soil, recording their first win against a European team (Poland) at a World Championship, and claiming the title as the strongest team outside Europe.
The Toughest Possible Opposition
In Chengdu, three of the sport’s giants awaited: Switzerland (ranked 5th), Latvia (4th), and Sweden (1st). With a squad of 12 outfield players and 2 goalkeepers, led by the head coach and the federation president, the team knew the task was monumental.
The results were as tough as expected – all group matches ended in defeat, including a new record for the largest loss: 18–0 against Switzerland. But behind the numbers were performances that don’t show in the standings: disciplined defending and top-class goalkeeping against world number one Sweden, plus a goal from the captain in his 50th international appearance.
Records in the Right Direction
In the placement match against hosts China, the team finished in style. A 14–0 victory – a new record for the largest win in national team history and clear proof that they are the best in Asia.
“We played the best team in the world and learned a lot. We even made them sweat for nearly half a match. At the same time, we showed against China that we can dominate when we need to. This is a step forward,” said head coach Alm Johansson.
A Sport on the Rise
Philippine floorball continues to grow. For now, the national teams are mostly made up of players with roots in countries where the sport is well-established. Local players often lack access to full-sized rinks and organized seasons. The federation hopes more homegrown talents will break into the national teams in the future – but a fully local 5v5 squad capable of matching the world’s best is still likely decades away.
Next Stop: SEA Games
Next up is the SEA Games in Thailand this December. The men’s team will be chasing their first gold medal and enter the tournament as favorites with the current roster. The women’s team will also compete, aiming to prove they belong among Asia’s top nations – and looking for redemption after the WFCQ in Singapore earlier this year.
The Philippines leave Chengdu without a medal, but with something just as valuable: experience, confidence – and the feeling that they belong on the world stage.
