In the meantime though, our men’s football team, the Azkals, are taking center stage as they advanced to the semi-finals of the prestigious AFF (ASEAN Footbal Federation) Suzuki Cup which is a big accomplishment for the team after being one of the traditional whipping boys of the tournament.
Probably aside from the fact that it will be our biggest milestone at the AFF Suzuki Cup, the ladies out there are more interested with our players especially those with foreign blood. I’m guessing that today there will be a lot of girls googling for these three Azkals.
Neil EtheridgeEtheridge began attending the Chelsea academy in 2003, where he was also teammates with eventual Philippine internationals James Younghusband and Phil Younghusband. He started out as a forward but eventually switched to a goalkeeper after being asked by his coach. In 2006, he moved to local rivals Fulham, and signed professional forms for the club.
Date of Birth: 7 February 1990
Position: Goalkeeper
Shirt number: 1
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 161 lbs.
Current club: Fulham FC (ENG)
James YounghusbandYounghusband’s career began when he signed for Chelsea in 1996 and signed a scholarship with them at the age of 10. While with Chelsea he made a number of appearances for the youth and reserve team.
Early in 2005, the Philippine Football Federation was alerted to Younghusband’s eligibility by a mysterious gamer who allegedly found out about their lineage via the Football Manager series. He and his younger brother Phil were eventually called up to the Southeast Asian nation’s football squad, amidst much fanfare. Younghusband participated in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, which was held in the Philippines.
Date of Birth: 4 September 1986
Position: Midfielder
Shirt number: 7
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 171 lbs.
Current club: Younghusband Academy
Philip YounghusbandHe plays as a striker and turned professional in March 2005, having been at Chelsea since the age of nine. Younghusband was the youth team’s top scorer in the 2003–04 season and made his first reserve start in November 2004. In the 2004–05 he was the youth team’s top scorer. In the 2005–06 season, Younghusband made 21 appearances for the Chelsea reserve team, including 18 starts, and scored five goals. He also made one appearance as a substitute for the Chelsea youth team.
On 30 August 2007, Younghusband signed a contract with Danish top-league club Esbjerg fB, going on loan with the Danes for the rest of the 2007–08 season but he returned to Chelsea during the January transfer window. During his time playing in the Chelsea reserves team, he scored 9 goals in 41 apps for two seasons.
Date of Birth: 4 August 1987
Position: Midfielder
Shirt number: 10
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 159 lbs.
Current club: Younghusband Academy