BACOLOD CITY. – James and Phil Younghusband will not be around when the Azkals play in an exhibition match Tuesday in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, hometown of football chief Mariano Araneta Jr., and the start of the nationals’ team bonding in Cebu the succeeding day.
But the absence of the two Filipino-British siblings, both team mainstays, has the approval of national team manager Dan Palami and coach Michael Weiss, according to Cathy Rivilla, the executive director of The Younghuband Football Academy.
The Younghusbands were invited by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission to conduct a football clinic last Saturday at the West Negros University football grounds as a side event of the POC-PSC Philippine National Games 2011.
"We had a long meeting last night with Dan and coach Weiss last week to discuss the commitment of the Younghusbands to the national team and their outside commitments," Rivilla, who also acts as an adviser to the brothers, said. "The meeting went well and they understood the boys’ situation."
Rivilla said she and the two siblings, who no longer have a father, were able to explain to Palami and Weiss why the brothers were involved with other activities such as commercial endorsements and the academy.
"As elder brothers to a younger sister, they are looking after her and their future. Phil and James are also now building a house," Rivilla said.
She said the Younghusbands failed to join the opening day of the national team’s training last week because they both saws action in the Luzon eliminations of the Smart Club Championships the previous week.
The Younghusbans will miss the exhibition match in Barotac Nuevo because of activities involving them that were scheduled far ahead of the game, Rivilla said, adding this would also affect their stint in in Cebu.
She, however, said both Younghusbands have not overlooked their national team responsibilities.
"Phil and James know their key roles on the national team and remain committed to fulfilling their obligations to the squad," Rivilla said.
"Contrary to the perception of some, they are heavily bonded to the Azkals. You can go ask (co-captain) Aly Borromeo how bonded they are."
She said the Younghusbands will eventually go to Cebu for the team bonding "because that’s when the heavy training resumes."
When the Azkals return to Manila to resume their build-up and preparations "you can expect the Younghusbands to devote more of their time to the national team," she stressed.
The Filipino booters, who are expected to be trimmed down to the regular 23-man roster, are scheduled to leave on June 12 for Duren, Germany for the final stage of their tune-up for their Asian World Cup qualifying opening leg against Sri Lanka on June 29 in Colombo.
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