The Philippines fell to Syria, 1-2, on Wednesday evening in their opening encounter in the Asian Football Confederation Under-23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The win gave Syria the early lead in their Group K tie, along with host Tajikistan, which pulled off a 4-0 triumph over Nepal.
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Syria’s Mahmoud Al-Aswad first struck in the 63rd to give their side the lead before Sandro Reyes levelled the count for the Philippines in the 78th minute.
But Syria’s Mohammad Almustafa found the net and chipped in the winning goal two minutes after Reyes’ goal.
The Filipinos will try to get back on their feet against host Tajikistan on Saturday.
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