Stars descend to Davao for summer fest

source: PIA Press Release

DAVAO CITY April 27 (PIA)--The Younghusband siblings, Derek Ramsey, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski - these are among the many stars who will converge to Davao City in various set of activities to mark the city’s first ever summer festival.

Phil and James Younghusband along with members of the phenomenal Philippine Azkals football team will visit Davao in time for the Suzuki Under 23 soccer tournament which will kick off this April 29 at the Tiongco Football Field.

The soccer tournament is slated to run from April 28 to May 30 and is organized by the Davao Football Association and the Philippine Football Federation.

Meanwhile celebrity hunk and sportsman Derek Ramsey will display his Frisbee prowess as he will be among the players in the coming Daba-Daba Ultimate Frisbee Tournament organized by ultimate Frisbee group Mulato Davao. The event will be held on May 7-8 also at the Tionko Football Field.

In another activity celebrity actress and international equestrian Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski will be the guest of honor during the 11th Davao Horse Show and Competition which is to be held this April 30 to May 2 at the SM City Davao grounds.

Cojuangco, a 2002 Asian Games gold medal winning equestrienne will design the show jumping course and will also be one of the judges for the event. The Davao Horse Show and Competition is organized by the Davao Horse Club and will feature horse riders from Cagayan de Oro City, Malabalay and Impasugong in Bukidnon.

These different set of sports activities is part of the coming Davao Summer Fest which will be held from April 29- May 29 and as a means a to enliven a traditionally dull summer season in the City.

Aside from sports activities, programs in arts, music, culture and religion are also included in the summer festival. (PIA XI/RG Alama)
RGA/RGA

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Phil, James set to play for San Beda FC

source: malaya.com.ph

FILIPINO football fans will surely get a big kick out of this: Phil and James Younghusband are set to make their club debut for San Beda FC that will see action in the Smart Club Championships.

"They have started training with San Beda FC under former national coach Aris Caslib and will compete in the Smart tournament," a reliable source said yesterday.

The source said by joining San Beda FC "the Younghusbands are showing everyone they really want to stay in the Philippines and play here."

The Filipino-British siblings, products of the English Premier League Chelsea Football Club program, have been in the country for nearly four years.

They rejoined the national team, popularly known as the Azkals, last year and were key factors in the squad’s sensational run to the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup, Southeast Asia’s men’s football championship.

James, 25, and Phil, 24, launched the Younghusband Football Academy last year to impart their soccer experience and skills to young hopefuls whose numbers have grown immensely largely through the success of the Azkals.

"It has been a long since we have been considered professional football players and we are very happy to have that opportunity again, especially in the Philippines," the source quoted Phil as saying.

"It has been our dream to be professional football players since we were kids," Younghusband added. "We feel privileged and proud that we are given this opportunity in the Philippines."

The Younghusbands have declined huge offers coming from Indonesia.

While midfielder James saw action for the Azkals in last month’s Asian Challenge Cup qualifying group tournament in Myanmar, striker Phil had to stay behind after tearing his right hamstring in the second match of the ACC qualifying series against Mongolia in Ulan Bator earlier.

Since then, James has been undergoing therapy and is expected to be back in harness when the national team resumes fitness training next month.

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James Younghusband scores penalty to put Azkals ahead

source: By Jojo Malig, abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines (9th UPDATE) - James Younghusband converted a penalty in to put the Philippine Azkals ahead, 1-0, over Myanmar.

The Azkals' opponents have also been reduced to 10 men after one of the Myanmar players was sent off, with ten minutes remaining in regulation period plus stoppage time.

Before Younghusband's goal, Neil Etheridge led the Azkals in fending off Myanmar attacks.

Etheridge was a commanding presence inside the box in the first period, snuffing out at least 7 goalscoring attempts by the Azkals' opponents.

The Philippines, however, had a penalty shout denied by referee.

Myanmar dominated possession in the first half, with the Philippines pinned back on defense.
The hosts are using their wingers, particularly Pai Soe, to create problems for the Azkals.

Philippines gaffer Hans Michael Weiss earlier said that the Azkals will use a defense-minded and counterattacking ploy because the match is being played on Myanmar’s home turf.

Fulham's Etheridge was earlier called up to the starting 11 to reinforce the back line.

Filipino-Spanish striker Angel Guirado Aldeguer also made his debut in the team.
The others in Philippines' starting XI are Rob Gier, Anton Del Rosario, Roel Gener, Ray Jonsson, Simon Greatwich, Alexander Borromeo, James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, and Ian Araneta.

On the substitute's bench are Sacapaño, Espinosa, Hinrichsen, Margarse, Sabio, and Tuason.
Weiss pulled out Araneta at the start of the second half, replacing him with striker Yanti Barsales.

 The match kicked off the Azkals' AFC Challenge Cup group stage campaign.
The Azkals last met Myanmar in the AFF Suzuki Cup. The match ended in a goalless draw.
ABS-CBN and the Philippine Football Federation tried to get permission to broadcast live from Myanmar.

However, despite repeated requests, Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV), the government station which will cover the event, did not get the permit from higher authorities to beam the matches live via satellite to the Philippines.

"Negotiations are now underway for the broadcast rights and tape copies of MRTV's coverage of the Azkals' matches in Yangon," ABS-CBN Sports said.

ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) is live-tweeting the match. Football fans can listen to live updates on dzMM Teleradyo on the Internet. You can also follow the ongoing match on Twitter by using the hashtag #Azkals.

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