THE Philippines ended its campaign in Group G of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers on a high note following a 1-0 win over Afghanistan on Sept. 18 at the Al Saadah Sports Complex in Salalah, Oman.
The Philippines, however, failed to qualify in next year’s AFC U-20 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan.
It was a very tight match between the Philippines and Afghanistan with neither squad refusing to give. But Cebuano midfielder Kamil Amirul hit the timely goal in the 83rd minute to give the Philippines the win.
Meanwhile, host Oman booked a spot in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup following a 1-0 win over Thailand in the other Group G match. Ahad Al Habshi Almashaikhi scored the match’s lone goal in the 21st minute.
Oman finished as the top team in Group G with six points and is ahead of Thailand on head-to-head ratio. Philippines ended up at third with three points, while Afghanistan is last also with three points.
Oman joins the other group winners Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Indonesia, Tajikistan, Iran and 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup host Uzbekistan.
Vietnam, Kyrgyz Republic, China and Syria are poised to qualify in the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup as among the five best second placed teams.
Thailand, on the other hand, will have to await the results of Group H, which will be played next month, for the final spot.