Like their first loss at the hands of Vietnam, the Philippine Under-22 Men’s National Team was simply light years behind its conquerors Thailand.
Needing a win to keep its hopes of advancing to the next round alive, the Philippines instead folded 0-3 against Thailand at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in what was its second straight loss in the 2019 AFF U-22 Youth Championship.
The result leaves the Filipinos bottom of Group A. Only an unlikely Timor Leste win over Vietnam later tonight can give the Philippines hope of booking a ticket to the knockouts. A Vietnam win, though, seals the Philippines’ exit from this competition
An early goal by Jaroensak Wonggorn set the tone for the Thais in the match. The striker beat the Filipinos’ offside trap and calmly shot past goalie Michael Asong in the 3rd minute for the opener.
The game was then well and truly over as a contest when Thailand doubled its lead through Jedsadakorn Kowngam’s header in the 12th minute. Coach Alexandre Gama’s men then had one last goal in them when skipper Saringkan Promsupa eluded his marker six minutes from full time to add the exclamation point.
In contrast to the Philippines, Thailand enters the knockouts by virtue of this result, as this is their second win in the competition.
The Philippines’ last Group A assignment is against Timor Leste, in what could either be a battle for pride or a lifeline to the next round. That game will be played on October 21, 2019, 7:30 PM Philippine time, at the Olympic Stadium.
Philippines XI: Asong (GK), Jarvis, Ebarle, Limbo ©, De Bruycker, Winhoffer, Clarino, Sanciangco, Magdato, Grierson, Saavedra.
Thailand XI: Nareechan (GK), Notharat, Saengdao, Sompim, Kowngam, Sansanit, Wonggorn, Promsupa ©, Saengthopho, Khukhalamo, Intanee.
