The Philippine Azkals absorbed a 2-5 loss to Syria in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Thursday night at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod.
Javier Patiño’s opening goal in the 7th minute, gave the Philippines the early lead.
But the Syrians were in control of the game after that, and this gave them the early lead in Group A with three points.
Omar Al Soma scored a brace after heading in the equalizer in the 15th minute before Khaled Almbayer connected in the 30th to give Syria the upper hand, 2-1.
Skipper Firas Al Khatib then struck in the 50th to hand Syria a 3-1 spread, before Al-Soma drilled in his second goal in the 56th minute with another header towards the bottom corner, 4-1.
Syria wanted another goal. Mahmoud Almawas went one-on-one with Falkesgaard and netted in Syria’s 5th goal of the match.
The Philippines aims to bounce back against Guam on Tuesday, September 10 at the Guam National Football Stadium.