SEAG-bound Phl U-23 suffers loss in Singapore friendly

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Under-23 team started their Southeast Asian Games buildup on a sour note bowing to Singapore, 0-1, in a friendly on Thursday night at the Hougang Stadium in the Lions City.

Singapore leaned on center back Safuwan Baharudin’s header to fend off the challenge put up by the visiting Philippine team led by Ceres FC’s Joshua Beloya and Jinggoy Valmayor, Loyola Meralco Sparks’ Mark Hartmann and Green Archers United-Globe keeper Patrick Deyto.  

The Philippine team played without newly-appointed head coach Brian Reid, who attended the crucial Global-Kaya match in the United Football League also on the same day. 

According to a Goal.com’s match report, Singapore Under-23 team started the match strong and was rewarded when Baharudin headed home a Fazli Ayob corner kick in the 24^th minute.

The Singaporeans enjoyed much of the ball and controlled the tempo throughout the match but the second half saw both teams struggling to find clear-cut chances to score. Singapore nearly doubled their lead when substitute Gabriel Quak hit the back of the net in the 69^th minute only to be flagged for offside.

Dan Padernal, who coached the Phl U-23 team in lieu of Reid, felt the boys played well despite the loss. 

"I'm not disappointed with this result," Padernal told the Football Association of Singapore official website. 

"We just started training a week ago and this is our first tune-up game [for the SEA Games].  This is definitely not our strongest team, as we have a few good players who stayed behind for their club's championship game in the United Football League (UFL) tonight (yesterday)," said Padernal, who was referring to the likes of Global's Angeles twins - Marvin and Marwin - and Kaya's OJ Porteria. 

The Philippines will meet Singapore again in another friendly later this year as both teams gear up for the 27^th Myanmar SEA Games in December.