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2019 Asian Cup: Azkals have no answer for China in 3-0 loss

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/sports/01/11/20190111-2019-asian-cup-2.jpg"/><figcaption>Patrick Reichelt (left) and John Patrick Strauss battle for possession against China in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday. The Philippines lost 3-0. Suhaib Salem, Reuters</figcaption></figure></div>(2ND UPDATE) The Philippines men&#x27;s national football team lost to China 3-0 in the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday.The win at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium guaranteed China&#x27;s passage to the next round, while the Azkals&#x27; odds of advancing looked bleak after two successive goalless defeats.The teams that finish 1-2 in each of the six groups, and the four third-placed squads with the most points march on to the knockout stage.While China (6 points) paces Group C, the Philippines sits last with a minus-4 goal difference.Korea qualified for the next phase after beating Kyrgyz Republic 1-0 in a late game.&quot;This is a high level we&#x27;re playing against . . . Better teams, better quality. Playing three games in a couple of weeks is something we&#x27;re gonna have to get used to if we want to beat these teams,&quot; said Azkals substitute James Younghusband.Wu Lei proved to be the stuff of nightmares for Sven-Goran Eriksson&#x27;s side, as the prolific striker immediately set himself apart from the field with his devastating form.He put China ahead with a perfectly calculated shot from the right edge of the box five minutes before the break, then doubled his side&#x27;s lead in the 66th with a right-footed shot that grazed keeper Michael Falkesgaard&#x27;s fingers before hitting the back of the net.Substitute Yu Dabao punctuated the result with an 80th-minute header.Marcello Lippi emerged victorious against old foe Eriksson in a heavyweight coaching clash despite spirited early resistance from the Filipinos.China, runners-up in 1984 and 2004, should have led after 32 minutes when Wu Xi headed wastefully wide from point-blank range.But Wu Lei provided the spark, whipping a right-foot shot into the far corner. His second was even better as he swiveled to slam a Hao Junmin free kick past Falkesgaard on the volley.Pulverized 8-1 the last time the teams met in 2017, the Philippines gave China more of a game this time, having lost 1-0 to South Korea on their Asian Cup debut earlier this week.Kevin Ingreso forced a fingertip save from China goalkeeper Yan Junling in first-half stoppage time but Eriksson&#x27;s side faded badly after the break. — With a report from Agence France-PresseFor more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

The Philippines men's national football team lost to China 3-0 in the 2019 Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

The Philippines men's national football team lost to China 3-0 in the 2019 Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday.