Three Timor-Leste goals see Azkals U-22 on brink of early exit

The Philippines U-22 men's football team dropped their match against Timor Leste, 3-0, with goals from Mouzinho, Luis Figo, and Elias Mesquita in Group A of the men's football tournament at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia this Thursday, May 4, 2023.

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O Sol Nascente, as the Timor Leste national team is also known, dominated proceedings early on. They opened the scoring through Mouzinho in the 15th minute, chipping the ball over keeper Quincy Kammeraad after a defense-splitting pass from skipper Jhon Firth.

The struggles continued for the Young Azkals as they were reduced to ten men. Dennis Chung was sent off in the 27th minute after a studs-up challenge.

Timor-Leste had the lead, 1-0, coming out of the interval, and they looked to score early in the half. Mouzinho again threatened to score in the 49th minute, but his shot was tipped wide by Kammeraad.

Not long after, the Timorese doubled the lead through Luis Figo. His initial shot in the 54th minute was blocked off the line by defender Noah Leddel, but in the succeeding play he was found in space by Jhon Firth. Despite protests for offside from the Azkals U-22, the goal stood.

After 62 minutes, Kornelis Portela put the ball in the net, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

The Philippines had perhaps its best chance to pull one back through Yrick Gallantes in the 76th minute. Substitute and goalscorer from the previous match Dov Cariño turned provider for the onrushing Gallantes, whose shot stung the gloves of Timor-Leste keeper Georgino Mendonca.

Timor-Leste iced the match in the 88th minute, with substitute Elias Mesquita finishing off of Zenivio's pullback assist.

The results sees the Azkals U-22 at the bottom of their group with one draw and two losses. While still technically in contention for a semifinal spot, their fate is not entirely in their hands. The Philippines face Myanmar to close their group stage campaign on May 10th (8pm PHT) at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.