The Latest Heartthrobs in Philippine Sports Phil and James Younghusband of the Azkals

The so-called “Azkals” is creating a lot of raves back home which is the Philippines. After a decent showing in the recent Suzuki Cup where they end up as one of the surprise semifinalist and tormenting the visiting Mongolia 2-0 on their first of two meetings in the Asian Challenge Cup qualifier the Philippine football national team is receiving a lot of attention, media mileage, support, sponsors and followers. The Philippine team is set to wrap up their series against the defensive-minded Mongolian in Ulan Bator with at least a draw or a win.

The Azkals which were whipping boys in the Asian region then, but now turned into a formidable team that is very capable of pulling of a draw and even a stinging win over a higher ranked team. But the popularity and the good performance of the country whilst competing in foreign soil can be traced to the tandem of Filipino-British brothers Phil and James Younghusband, although goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and the rest of the members of the team have great contributions as well. Phil and James were once reserves of the Chelsea FC team. The 5’11 Phil is a striker while his younger brother James who stands 6’1 is a midfielder – a right winger to be exact.

Phil’s complete name is Philip James Placer Younghusband. He was born on August 4, 1987 in Ashford, England and debuted playing for the senior national football team last November 12, 2006. One year later they played for the country as juniors in the 2005 South East Asian Games.

On the other hand, the complete name of his brother James is James Joseph Placer Younghusband. He is one year older than Phil and was born on September 4, 1986 in Middlesex, England.

Both Phil and James were discovered by a young football enthusiast while playing a computer game. The kid found their name and quickly relayed his findings to the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), which was then under the auspices of Johnny Romualdez. The PFF dish out a background check on the Fil-British football players and the rest were history, the duo of Phil and James now forms the nucleus of the Philippine national soccer team.

Phil Young Husband already scored 13 international career goals including his crisp and hard-earned second half goal against their latest opponent Mongolia. Phil was defended very well. all throughout the game and he could’ve performed even better if their opponents also concentrated on scoring not on just defending.

James meanwhile scored just 3 goals in 26 appearances and he was one of the defensive gems of the team. Both Phil and James joined the Chelsea program when they were still very young and were named as reserves.

The duo’s parents, Phil Sr. is from England and Susan from the Philippines met in Manila 30 years ago. The Younghusbands settled in England it is here where the siblings Phil and James were born and raised. The family is frequently visits the Philippines and the family easily accepts the invitation of the PFF to the siblings of suiting up for the national team.

Both Phil and James grew to be responsible and good athletes and good citizens as well. Aside from suiting up with the Chelsea team and part of the Philippine national football team they also established the Younghusband Football Academy a testament of their love and passion for the sport of football and their sincerity and desire to produce good football players in the coming years.

Phil asked a popular young actress in the Philippines whose name is Angel Locsin for a Valentines date. The young girl who has commitment on the requested date, which is February 14, declined the invitation although she is still open for a possible date some other time. Just recently both Phil and Angel is going out and they are at the point of knowing each other well.

On the other hand James just told the media that she has a girlfriend already, tough break for James’ die-hard fans.

The Philippine football is on the rise thanks to the dedication and determination of the two newest heartthrobs of Philippines, Phil and James.

May the country performed well this year and erect football as a national passion.

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