More games sought for RP football team
FILIPINO-British footballers Chad Gould and James Younghusband want the national football team to have more friendlies and tournaments so it can continue to improve in the international arena.
The two, who played for the Philippines in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in Maldives, also want the team to have a coach who will stay for more than one tournament.
“We want regular fixtures, more friendlies with other countries, more tournaments so we can keep playing better and that can also help in promoting the sport,” Gould said in an informal meeting with a few media men yesterday.
“England plays at least 10 matches a year. We are lucky to get a tournament, which is like three to four matches, in a year,” said Younghusband, who played for the reserve team of English giants Chelsea FC along with his brother Phil back in 2005.
Phil, the leading RP team scorer, did not play in the Challenge Cup.
The national team, which finished third in the AFC Challenge Cup, also had its third coach in its third tournament, a situation the two also want changed.
The two said they have good understanding with current coach Jose Aries Caslib and with the previous coaches, Norman Fegidero and Jose Luis Castillo but added, “We need a stable manager.”
“We’ve heard from the rumors that the next coach will be a permanent one. The PFF (Philippine Football Federation) is looking for an experienced foreign manager,” said Gould, whose mother Antonietta Baby Alesna is based in Boljoon
The two, along with two other Filipino British players, joined the RP team a week before the tournament. The local players also didn’t have much time to prepare and only had a month.
“Not the ideal preparation,” said Younghusband.
However, despite the short notice, the team aimed to win three games in the Challenge Cup. They ended up winning one, against Bhutan, 2-1, and lost to Maldives, 3-2, and Turkmenistan, 5-0, to finish third.
The loss to Turkmenistan was the most lopsided since the present generation of Fil-foreigners signed up for the RP team.
“It was sort of a freak result, we were so disappointed we lost so heavily against Turkmenistan. It was just one of those days,” said Gould.
The RP team lost Ali Borromeo to a red card in the Maldives game and the center back was suspended for the Turkmenistan match.
However, despite the third-place finish, Gould was happy to score two goals in the challenge cup.
“On a personal note, I am very happy scoring those two goals. I now have six in 11 caps,” said Gould.
After a brief stay in Cebu, Gould will return to England to continue his musical career with his band Redgrave. He will also train for the English national beach soccer team, along with James.
The two, who played for the Philippines in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in Maldives, also want the team to have a coach who will stay for more than one tournament.
“We want regular fixtures, more friendlies with other countries, more tournaments so we can keep playing better and that can also help in promoting the sport,” Gould said in an informal meeting with a few media men yesterday.
“England plays at least 10 matches a year. We are lucky to get a tournament, which is like three to four matches, in a year,” said Younghusband, who played for the reserve team of English giants Chelsea FC along with his brother Phil back in 2005.
Phil, the leading RP team scorer, did not play in the Challenge Cup.
The national team, which finished third in the AFC Challenge Cup, also had its third coach in its third tournament, a situation the two also want changed.
The two said they have good understanding with current coach Jose Aries Caslib and with the previous coaches, Norman Fegidero and Jose Luis Castillo but added, “We need a stable manager.”
“We’ve heard from the rumors that the next coach will be a permanent one. The PFF (Philippine Football Federation) is looking for an experienced foreign manager,” said Gould, whose mother Antonietta Baby Alesna is based in Boljoon
The two, along with two other Filipino British players, joined the RP team a week before the tournament. The local players also didn’t have much time to prepare and only had a month.
“Not the ideal preparation,” said Younghusband.
However, despite the short notice, the team aimed to win three games in the Challenge Cup. They ended up winning one, against Bhutan, 2-1, and lost to Maldives, 3-2, and Turkmenistan, 5-0, to finish third.
The loss to Turkmenistan was the most lopsided since the present generation of Fil-foreigners signed up for the RP team.
“It was sort of a freak result, we were so disappointed we lost so heavily against Turkmenistan. It was just one of those days,” said Gould.
The RP team lost Ali Borromeo to a red card in the Maldives game and the center back was suspended for the Turkmenistan match.
However, despite the third-place finish, Gould was happy to score two goals in the challenge cup.
“On a personal note, I am very happy scoring those two goals. I now have six in 11 caps,” said Gould.
After a brief stay in Cebu, Gould will return to England to continue his musical career with his band Redgrave. He will also train for the English national beach soccer team, along with James.
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