The Philippine Azkals absorbed a 4-0 beating at the hands of Palestine Tuesday, June 14 and found themselves in a difficult position in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers at the MFF Football Centre in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia.
The crucial loss put the Azkals' return trip to the AFC Asian Cup in peril as they ended their qualifying run with four points on a 1-1-1 win-loss-draw record.
Palestine started off strong and scored two goals off respective headers from Saleh Chihadef and Tamer Seyam in the 32nd and 42nd marks of the first half.
At the 55th mark, Mohammed Yamin's header was rewarded with a point despite Neil Etheridge's attempt for the save.
Etheridge was able to secure the ball but referees ruled out that it already crossed the goal line which proved costly for the Filipino booters.
Mahmoud Abuwarda put the finishing touches and found the back of the net at the 73rd minute of the second half as Palestine swept Group B en route to the AFC Asian Cup with three straight wins.
Fate isn't on the Azkals' hands anymore as they await the remaining results of the other five brackets and become one of the best five runners-up.
The Philippines made their historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup back in 2019.