The Philippines bow out of contention in the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup after a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to host Singapore in their qualifying match in Group H Thursday, Oct. 28 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Glenn Kweh’s goal minutes into the restart was enough to hand Singapore the full three points while the Young Azkals suffered their second straight defeat in the qualifiers after paying dearly for missing a first half penalty.
Coach Scott Cooper’s side remained without a point after starting the campaign three days earlier with a 3-0 loss to South Korea.
South Korea stayed on top of Group H after a 6-0 thrashing of Timor-Leste early in the day. The group winner and possibly the second placer will secure slots in next year’s U-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan.
Oliver Bias could have scored the opener for the Philippines from the spot in the 22nd minute but the team captain hit the crossbar, much to the delight of Singapore’s supporters.
That miss eventually came back to haunt the Young Azkals in the 52nd when Kweh scored a left-footed shot to the far post off goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad.
The Philippines spent the rest of the second half hoping to salvage a draw but the equalizing goal never came.
The Young Azkals wrap up their campaign Sunday against Timor-Leste.