Following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 / AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 matches, the Philippines are among the 22 out of 24 teams that will battle for the final 12 spots in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Final Stage.
The Philippines finished their campaign in Group A in third place with 11 points, the country’s highest points tally in the World Cup qualifiers, on the back of three wins, three losses, and two draws.
The Azkals opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-5 setback against Syria in Bacolod, Negros Occidental followed by a 4-1 over Guam last September 2019. It was followed up with a thrilling 0-0 draw against China PR in Bacolod last October 2019. A 2-1 win over the Maldives was followed up with a tight 1-0 loss to Syria last November 2019.
Due to the pandemic, the competition was halted last year and only recommenced this June 2021 in a competition bubble in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The Azkals lost to China PR, 2-0, won over Guam, 3-0, and drew Maldives, 1-1, in their final three matches of the qualifiers to finish in third place, and subsequently advanced to the final stage of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
PFF officials expressed optimism for the team with several reinforcements being eyed in preparation for the continental qualifiers.
“To be one of the final 24 teams to compete for the Asian Cup is a very good opportunity for the Azkals to prove their mettle again against the best teams in the continent,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. “We will see a much improved team in the Asian Cup Qualifiers Final Stage.”
“The country’s 11-point haul in the World Cup qualifiers shows how much the Men’s National Team has vastly improved over the past few years,” added PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “We should all look forward to their exciting performance in the coming AFF Suzuki Cup and the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers final stage.”
