Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bangkok: Cambodia beat the Philippines 3-1 in their last AFC U-23 Championship 2016 Group G qualifying match at the Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite there only being pride to play for with DPR Korea and Thailand contesting the top two spots in the group, the Cambodians came out firing and midfielder Chan Vathanaka duly drew first blood when he bulged the Philippines’ net just five minutes into the encounter, before doubling his tally five minutes later.
Striker Soeuy Visal then made it 3-0 on 16 minutes. Jorrel Aristorenas scored for the Filipinos one minute into the second-half stoppage time but it was too late to make a difference for Jim Fraser’s side.
Cambodia, led by coach Lee Tae-hoon, concluded their qualifying campaign in third spot, while the winless Philippines finished bottom.
Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will join hosts Qatar at the AFC U-23 Championship 2016, with January’s 16-team competition also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio.
The final group winner and the complete line up of best second-place finishers will only be confirmed after the conclusion of Group B of the qualifiers, which features Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan as well as hosts Pakistan.
Group B was scheduled to take place in Lahore at Lahore’s Punjab Stadium from March 23 to 31 has been postponed due to security concerns following the recent troubles in the Youhanabad area of the city.
A decision on an alternative venue and schedule for Group B will be announced in due course.