Young Azkals lose to Indonesia 3-0 in SEA Games 2023 football opener

Young Azkals against Indonesia in the SEA Games 2023 football competition. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines absorbed a 3-0 loss to Indonesia on Saturday in men’s U-22 football competitions that kicked off the 32nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Young Azkals found themselves trailing after conceding a goal near the halftime break before chances of at least securing a point disappeared when Indonesia scored twice entering injury time of the match held at Olympic Stadium in the Cambodian. capital.

Marselino Ferdinan accounted for the opener for Indonesia while Irfan Jauhari and Fajar Fathur Rahman produced the two second half goals that could hurt the Philippines later in case of tiebreakers in Group A.

Next up for the Young Azkals is host Cambodia on Tuesday at the same venue.

Coach Rob Gier’s side kept the game scoreless, even giving itself a chance to go on the board first when Yrick Gallantes’ intended pass for Dennis Chung during a counterattack was cleared by Indonesia keeper Ernando Ari.

Indonesia immediately struck the first goal as Rio Fahmi sent a cross to Marselino for a right-footed volley past Philippine goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad.

The bronze medalist in the pandemic-delayed 2021 edition in Vietnam doubled the lead entering stoppage time as Irfan slotted past Kammeraad before the final goal of the match came from Fajar’s strike.

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Inquirer’s special coverage of the Cambodia SEA Games 2023.