Younghusbands won't stray from Azkals

MANILA, Philippines - The Younghusbands are not breaking up with the Azkals even if they soon end up playing for the Jakarta 1928 FC in the Indonesia Premier League.

“Yes, there’s interest from other clubs,” said the 24-year-old James, confirming a standing offer, a lucrative one, for them to play for the Indonesian ballclub.

“But we have other commitments. We have the academy and the national team,” he added yesterday, referring to the The Younghusbands Football Academy (TYFC).

The younger Younghusband, the 23-year-old Phil, said they remain committed to the national team, which recently made a lot of heads turn in the AFF Suzuki Cup.

“I can’t say definitely if we’re going somewhere else right now. I can’t divulge any details on that right now. But definitely we’re still playing for the national team,” he said.

The Younghusbands, Filipino-Britons, started playing for the Philippine team in 2005 and have been based here since last year. They have put up their own football academy.

They announced the TYFA schedule in yesterday’s PSA Forum, along with executive director Kathy Rivilla.

On tap are football clinics for young players, their trainers and coaches, at Ateneo de Manila on Jan. 13, the Tarlac Recreational Park on Jan. 20 and 21, in Palawan on Jan. 29 and 30, the Alabang Country Club on Feb. 19, in Taguig on Feb. 26 and 27, in Cebu and Iloilo in mid-April, Metro Manila in April to May, back to Alabang on May 14 and 15, and Lanao del Norte in June.

In between camps, the two products of the Chelsea Football Club program will honor their commitment to the national team or even the Indonesian ballclub if indeed they end up with the latter.

They have played major roles in the resurgence of Philippine football, and along with a handful other Fil-foreign players, are expected to do more in the coming years.

The Azkals, fresh from a historic semifinal finish in the Suzuki Cup, are in the AFC Challenge Cup. They will face Mongolia on Feb. 9 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, and on March 15, in Mongolia.

The Younghusbands showed mixed reactions on the decision of the Philippine Football Federation to tap a new coach, Hans Michael Weiss of Germany, in favor of Simon McMenemy.

“We’re very disappointed that Simon won’t be with the team anymore, and we wish him the best,” said Phil of the 33-year-old Englishman who coached the team in the AFF Suzuki Cup.

“But it’s a new year, a new start under a new coach. We also look forward to his new ideas and what he can bring to the team,” said Phil, who like his brother is armed with a UEFA coaching badge.

“We only have one month to prepare for the AFC Challenge. And our new coach must learn the players’ names, and how we play. There are new players coming in as well, and it’s good for the team,” he added.

“This should be a good year for Philippine football,” James assured.

If not, a better one for the year that just passed.