MANILA, Philippines – Azkals players Phil and James Younghusband feel that, through sheer hard work, the country’s premiere football team faces a better future in the international sports scene.
According to Dyan Castillejo’s report on“TV Patrol,” March 21, “Pagod pero masaya ang Philippine team Azkals pagdating ng Maynila kagabi matapos ang 18 oras na biyahe mula Nepal.”
“Proud nilang ipinakita ang third place medal mula sa AFC Challenge Cup. May kaunting kainan ang team sa lounge habang hinihintay ang [mga] bagahe.”
She related that, “Masaya si Phil Younghusband sa nakuha niyang Golden Boot Award bilang player na may pinakamaraming goals sa tournament. Aminado si Phil na super inspired siya ngayon dahil sa suporta ni Angel Locsin.”
“Pumunta siya [Angel] sa first game namin laban sa North Korea. Sobrang supportive siya. ‘Good luck, galingan mo,’ things like [that, ang sabi niya],” Phil said in the interview.
“Proud si James sa kanyang kapatid. Naniniwala sila na kasabay ng patuloy na hard training, malayo pa ang mararating ng Philippine team sa football.”
“Some people say it’s a fluke, it’s a one-off set. The team’s really happy that we’ve done this and show that we can progress even more so we’re really happy,” James explained.
According to Dyan, “Dumiretso sa Europa sina Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Paul Mulders at Jason Dejong.”
As for the Manila-based players, they will continue their practice “sa kani-kanilang club teams sa UFL League.”
“Magsasama muli ang Azkals sa Mayo para paghandaan ang apat na friendly matches sa Hunyo at [ang] Suzuki Cup sa Nobyembre,” the report noted.
For Azkals’ Michael Weiss, the people’s view about football players has drastically changed.
“They have biggest respect for us now, and [before] that was not the case. And apart from the results, this is also something we can be proud of,” Michael shared.
Meanwhile, the two Azkals players that have been accused of sexual harassment by Match Commisioner Cristy Ramos are preparing for their testimonies.
“Ipapadala nila ito sa disciplinary committee ng Philippine Football Federation na humahawak ng reklamo,” Dyan reported.
Dan Palami, Azkals’ team manager, pled to the public not to pass judgment on the two involved players.
“Sana po huwag muna natin husgahan ‘yung mga team members po na medyo nasasangkot sa gulo,” he said.
The report said, “Ayon kay Lexton Moy, isa sa mga inireklamo, gusto niya talagang ihayag ang kanyang panig o kuwento sa kontrobersyal na pangyayari.”
“I can’t wait for the truth to come out, and when it does, I think the public will see a true, genuine side of what the team stands for,” Moy said.
source: mb.com.ph
