The Philippines Under-22 squad began their AFC Under-23 Championship 2018 Qualifiers with a 8-0 defeat against Japan last Wednesday 19 July 2017 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Japan’s Ren Komatsu scored four goals while Tsukasa Morishima netted twice. Yuya Nakasaka and Ito Hiroki added a goal each for the Japanese side.
Phiippine Under-23 coach Marlon Maro said after the match that it was always a challenge to play a team of Japan’s caliber.
“We were exposed and it’s always a challenge against teams like Japan,” said Maro. “But we will have to learn from the experience.”
The Philippines’ next match will be against China PR on Friday 21 July at 3:30 PM local time (4:30 PM Manila time).
Photo from Asian Football Confederation (AFC)