Match fitness was an issue for the Philippines after they took a 0-1 loss Cambodia on Thursday evening.
Many players suffered from cramps as the game progressed, allowing the Cambodians to win and move closer to a place in the semifinals of the ASEAN Football Federation Under-23 Championship 2022.
“That was our issue. We worked so hard. Physically, at the end, we had too many players who were struggling,” said Team Philippines’ coach Stewart Hall after their Group A game at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Hall said they will have a period of recovery when they prepare for their final game in the Group Stage against Brunei on Sunday.
“Rest and recovery is critical. We’ll be OK, we’ll be OK,” added Hall in a post-match Zoom huddle with scribes.
A late strike from Sin Sovanmakara some nine minutes before the whistle settled things for the host team, which picked up their second full points from two matches played.
Cambodia, which earlier pulled off a 6-0 win over Brunei, is now near the first semis slot.
The Philippines, which had many players not having much national or international exposure over the last two year, played a defensive game and hardly went on the attack.
In one of the Philippines’ few attempts, Sandro Reyes managed to make an attempt, but was foiled by Cambodian keeper Hul Kimhuy.
Miguel Mendoza also tried, but his bid went for naught as time expired.