Younghusbands back with the Azkals

Source: ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals have called up Phil and James Younghusband to participate in their 10-day training camp in the Middle East, which starts October 7.

This, after the Younghusband brothers were controversially left out of the Azkals roster for the recently concluded Philippine Football Peace Cup.

In a statement, Azkals team manager Dan Palami said the management decided to include the Younghusbands "after careful consideration."

Younghusbands back in Azkals lineup for Middle East Camp

Source: Mark Giongco; Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines – After missing the recently concluded Philippine Football Peace Cup, Phil and James Younghusband are back with the men’s National Football team for its coming Middle East Camp.

The Fil-British brothers, whom the Philippine Football Federation didn’t include in the lineup the last time out citing “economic and non-economic” reasons, will join the Azkals as they face Bahrain and Kuwait in a pair of international friendlies set on October 7-11. 

Expected to lead the Azkals along with the Younghusbands are PH squad fixture Chieffy Caligdong, Peace Cup Golden Boot awardee and MVP Denis Wolf and Angel and Juan Guirado.

Phil, James shrug off 'prima donna' tag

Source: ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines -- For football players Phil and James Younghusband, being reportedly referred to as "prima donnas" by Philippine Azkals coach Michael Weiss is still a matter for clarification.

"Coach Weiss -- English is not his native language... so it's difficult. Sometimes things are misheard or sometimes misunderstood," Phil said during a press conference for an endorsement launch on Tuesday, when asked for his reaction to Weiss' reported reference to them shortly after the Azkals' championship win in the recently  Philippine Football Peace Cup.

Last Saturday, during the Philippine football team's post-match press conference, Weiss was quoted as saying that the current Azkals line-up is "without prima donnas... people who think they already have achieved something in football."

Younghusbands await 'Azkals' callup'

Source: ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines -- After being omitted from the Azkals' lineup in the recently held Philippine Football Peace Cup, football players Phil and James Younghusband said they now only wait for a "call-up" to play again for the Philippine national team.

"That's up to the management. We're always available, we're waiting for that call-up. We're looking forward, if we're getting a call-up to play with the team again," said James, Azkals midfielder, during a press conference for an endorsement launch held Tuesday.

"We've been following the team all week, and we just like to wish Coach [Hans Michael] Weiss a big congratulations. I think they did a great job in the Peace Cup," James added.