In what could be the best result of 2019, the Philippine Men’s National Team put up a impressive defensive stand to draw China PR, 0-0 in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 / AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualifiers last night at Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium.
Goran Milojevic’s side leaned on goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who had a Man of the Match performance, as the Philippines claimed their most remarkable result against the side who had beaten them three straight times since 2017.
Dominating inside the penalty box for the entire match, the Cardiff City shot-stopper took care of the crosses by the visitors, but it needed a late save to deny the Chinese in the final minutes of the match to preserve the clean sheet.
Substitute Amani Aguinaldo also made himself big in complimenting Alvaro Silva after coming on for Justin Baas in the second half. The pair put the clamps on the attacking threat of Wu Lei and Ai Kesen to deny China PR the chance to top the group.
The draw means that the Philippines remained in third with four points in Group A. Their next matches of the qualifiers two away matches against Maldives on 14 November, and Syria on 19 November.