The Philippine Men’s National Team opened their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 / AFC Asian Cup 2023 China Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 campaign with a 2-5 setback against Syria last Thursday, 5 September 2019 at Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod, Negros Occidental.
Javier Patiño gave the Philippines hope with the first goal in the seventh minute of the match. The forward sent a well headed shot past the goalkeeper.
However, Syria found their form and went on to score two goals in the 15th and 31st minutes to overturn the score at the half, 1-2.
Syria converted their third goal from the penalty spot in the 49th minute and added a fourth in the 56th minute.
Substitute Mike Ott reduced the deficit in the 84th minute, but the visitors piled on the pressure for their fifth goal in the 86th minute to round up the result.
The Philippines next face Guam in the second match of the qualifiers on Tuesday, 10 September 2019 at Guam FA Field in Dededo, Guam.
