Syria XI makes it 2-0 vs Azkals
MANILA,Philippines — The Philippine Azkals failed to make further movement in Group A of the Fifa World Cup-AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers as they fell to Syria again, 0-1, Tuesday night in Dubai.
Ward al Samh’s first-half goal proved enough to lift the pacesetting Syrians to their fifth straight victory while foiling the Filipinos in their bid to overtake idle China from second spot.
The Azkals, who were aiming to sustain the momentum from their previous 2-1 win over Maldives and a confidence boosting scoreless draw with the Chinese, got stuck at third with seven points through five contests.
The Chinese also have seven markers but with superior goal difference and one less game played.
Syria, which now enjoys an eight-point upperhand against China and the Philippines, was the dominant side in the first 45 minutes of play at Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium.
The Syrians piled up the pressure and got their payoff in the 23rd minute as Osama Omari delivered a low cross to al Samh, who blasted it home at the far post.
Neil Etheridge made stops the rest of the way to keep Phl within striking distance. But despite playing a lot better in the second half, the Filipinos could not buy a goal to at least steal a point from the unbeaten Syrians, who were also victorious in their first-round encounter in Bacolod, 5-2.
The Azkals will regroup and try to bounce back in the next window on March 26, 2020 against winless Guam at home.
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