The Philippines National Men’s Football Team lost to ersthile winless Yemen, 0-1, in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying Tournament Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The defeat was a blow to the Azkals’ campaign to the 2018 Russia World Cup.

Both the Philippines and Yemen were scoreless during the first half, with the Azkals dominating possession.

The Azkals had at least eight chances to make a goal during the entire game—including an attempt by Jerry Lucena during the second half that appeared to have entered the goal line but was thwarted by Yemeni defenders.

Yemen’s Ahmed Al-Sarori, a seventeen-year-old sub, made a goal late in the second half.

With only about 10 minutes left in the game, the Azkals were unable to tie the score.

“It was not easy to win this match,” said Yemen’s coach Amin Al-Sunaini who described the Azkals as “disciplined.”

“Our players are efficient,” he said.

He also declared that their victory is good news for their country which is being plagued by a civil war.

“The Yemen people are football-minded people. Even with the country’s situation, the people follow the team,” Al-Sunaini continued.

Al-Sunaini also said that although evein if there is no electricity in Yemen, he is certain that the people found a way to be abreast in the game. “Our win makes the people happy,” he happily said.

In the post-game press conference, Azkals coach Thomas Dooley admitted that his team was not up to par to his expectations.

“We didn’t play the way we wanted,” Dooley said.
He observed that the Yemenis were more aggressive than when the Azkals encountered them last June.
Dooley attributed it to their opponent’s teamwork.

“They stayed two months in a hotel and played five to six times a week… They had better connection, better understanding,” he explain.

All is not lost though for the Azkals as a third place finish in Group H of the tournament would give them a ticket to the 2019 AFC Cup. They are still locked in a tie for third and fourth place with Bahrain.