THE Philippines did not lose a match in the 2008 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup qualifiers in Iloilo, but still failed to qualify for the tournament proper set from July 30 to August 10 in Hyderabad, India.

The RP booters beat Bhutan, 3-0, Saturday at the Barotac Nuevo football plaza to finish the qualifiers with a two-win, one-draw (seven points) record.

But Tajikistan advanced to the main draw following a 4-0 win over Brunei Darussalam at the Iloilo Sports Complex, also Saturday, that gave them the slot even with a similar two-win, one-draw (seven points) slate to the Philippines.

That was because Tajikistan had a better goal difference (+6) than the Philippines (+4) during the three-day meet.

“We played well, but we got unlucky,” said coach Norman Fegidero.

Chad Gould came in as a substitute to score a goal in the 39th minute from a corner by James Younghusband, while Phil Younghusband scored four minutes later.

The Philippines chalked up its third goal, thanks to an own goal by Bhutan’s Rinchen Pema in the 59th, but failed to score more goals, which they needed to overcome Tajikistan.

“We gave our all. We played well. It’s hard to think that we did not qualify,” said team captain Emelio “Chippy” Caligdong in Pilipino.

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THE Philippines did not lose a match in the 2008 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup qualifiers in Iloilo, but still failed to qualify for the tournament proper set from July 30 to August 10 in Hyderabad, India.

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