PITCH ACTION. The Philippine Azkals bows to Syria, 2-5, in Group A’s 2022 World Cup Qualifiers second-round match at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Thursday night (September 5, 2019). The Philippines is lined up with Syria, China, Maldives, and Guam in Group A.
(Photo courtesy of the-afc.com)
BACOLOD CITY -- Disappointed with the 2-5 defeat against Syria, Philippine Azkals mentor Scott Cooper is looking to bounce back in the upcoming matches of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers second round.
“It’s the first game of eight games so we have to bounce back with winning one,” Cooper said during the post-game interview at Panaad Stadium here on Thursday night.
The Azkals scored the opening goal when Javier Patiño found the back of the net in the sixth.
The Syrians leveled the score eight minutes later and went into the half-time break with a 2-1 lead.
Substitute Mike Ott added one for the Azkals in the 83rd minute, but the visitors pressed on with three more goals to obtain the coveted three points.
Cooper said he believed the Philippines, currently 126th spot in FIFA World Rankings, could have done better against the 87th-ranked Syria.
“We could have scored four or five goals ourselves, but we didn’t take those chances. I have to say ‘well done’ to Syria, looking to have strikers like that. Their best strikers were even missing so it’s a dangerous team. They’re not that organized, they just have good attacking players,” the Irish mentor added.
“At 1-0, we had them in trouble. We should have made sure we closed every door at half time at 1-0, and put pressure on them, but we did not do that. We have to learn from that,” Cooper said.
The Philippines is lined up with Syria, China, Maldives, and Guam in Group A. Syria leads the group standings on goal difference.
On September 10, Azkals will travel to play against Guam at FA National Training Center in Dededo. (PNA)
