The Philippine Azkals kissed their bid for 2022 FIFA World Cup goodbye following a heartbreaking 0-2 setback to China early Tuesday in the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup qualifying tournament at the Sharjah Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
The Azkals, however, are still in contention for the Asian Cup and will try to boost this bid when they go up against Guam in what is practically a death match on June 11 (10 p.m. Manila time).
“We need to control the game. We could control a game easily, defensively. And we take pride in that,” said coach Scott Cooper in an interview aired on Facebook Live after the match.
The Azkals, who are far behind on points and may end up in third spot of Group A with seven points, remained in contention for the third qualifying round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup with their 2-1-3 slate in third place.
With its second-running 4-1-1 win-draw-loss record in Group A, China remained on course for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers.
China is behind solo leader Syria, which remained unbeaten in seven games after its 3-0 rout of Guam.
Cooper said the Azkals were in control in the first half, until they lost left-back Michael Kempter midway in the first 45 minutes to a broken nose.
“I think China deserved to win the game for sure. Although if you look at the chances, it’s quite similar,” added Cooper.
China took control in the second half and scored two goals in the last 45 minutes.
The Azkals tried to keep China from scoring with new defender Jefferson Tabinas in the mix, but defense finally broke down in the second half after one of their main defensive players, Kempter, left with a broken nose in the 21st minute and had to be replaced by Martin Steuble.
Wu Lei shattered a scoreless deadlock with a penalty shot at the 57th minute.
China then pressed on with its attack and broke through again in the 65th minute when Wu Xinghan, unguarded from the far post, came near and converted from close range to hand China the victory.