|
LONDON, England - British-Filipino footballer Philip Younghusband fortunes nowadays are changing very fast. Although LA Galaxy have not officially signed him yet, hearing Philip training for them have already made lots of Pinoy soccer pundits excited.
If everything goes on smoothly for the 19-year-old England born striker and he will get a contract with the Galaxy, then this is the best time for him to show his talent in the US. I have not seen him play football but his record as a striker with the Chelsea and with the RP national team are quite impressive.
He was Chelsea's Youth team top scorer in 2003-2004 season. Phil made 21 appearances with the Chelsea reserve team the following season starting in 18 of them and scoring five goals. He also scored two goals in their 2-4 loss to Malaysia in the Southeast Asian Games. Philip also scored six goals in four appearances for the `Ascals' in the ASEAN Cup qualifying tournament.
LA Galaxy are having their `golden age' this time because of the signing of English icon David Beckham. That is why this is the best time for Philip to join them. If he makes it to the Galaxy line-up then he has to prove that he is a capable striker who can score goals for them.
Appearance wise, Philip is younger and more handsome than `Goldenballs'. And at only 19-years-old, he has more years left to his football carreer. But carreer wise, comparing him to Beckham is a mismatch. It is like comparing Shaquille O'Neal to newly discovered giant Fil-Am cager Greg Slaughter.
Playing professional soccer in the US is easier compared to England or Europe. Philip can attest to that. He has been with Chelsea since the age of ten but has never seen action with the first team. It easier to swim the English channel than to make Chelsea's line-up, unless of course you are as big, muscular and as talented as Didier Drogba.
As I have said before, I have not seen Philip play. But by judging from his physique he still needs lots of work to do. Gone are the days of little strikers who could score goals and win games for their teams. Skills are not even enough this time. Look at the present crop of successful strikers like Drogba, Rudd Van Nistelrooy and even Wayne Rooney.
They are tall, big and made of solid muscles. Muscles which can last the beatings and tortures of huge, tall and skilful defenders like Rio Ferdinand, Ledley King, and John Terry. Philip is tall and presumably skilful. With lots of time spent in the gym, he will be soon ready to torment any seasoned defenders.
Hopefully when this happens Philip will be an inspiration to millions of soccer loving Filipinos all over the globe.
THE GREAT BECKHAM DEBATE
Lots have been said on David Beckham's move to the LA Galaxy this July. There are people who question his move and if he will be successful in the US or if he will raise Major League Soccer to the next level or he will be just a waste of money. But the great debate here now in England is weather Beckham made hasty decision which he will regret later.
As you can see, Beckham has been playing like in his prime the past several months now. Real Madrid have even regreted not signing him a contract extension after his contract expires on June 31. Real president Ramon Calderon was reportedly quoted as saying that they are now looking for a way if they can stop Beckham from crossing the Atlantic.
Beckham's agent Simon Oliviera however, insists that the 32-year-old midfielder will definitely go to play for LA. Beckham once again helped Real Madrid secure a 2-2 draw against Real Zaragosa in their La Liga match yesterday. He played with an injured left ankle but still managed to finish the match.
Real continue to lead the standings and may wrap up their first title since 2003 if they win against Mallorca at home on Saturday.
Beckham also is facing problems once he starts playing for LA Galaxy and England at continuation of their European Cup qualifying tournament in August. At least five England matches are in conflict with Galaxy games. Then will he be fit playing for England? Abangan!
CFA, PFF ELECTION
Late this year, the Philippine Football Federation and the Cebu Football Association will elect their own new sets of officers. Current PFF president Juan Miguel Romualdez is expected to run again but CFA president Jonathan Maximo has already announced that he is not running for another term.
Maximo has done a lot for Cebu football since he came to office four years ago. I met him only once during my holiday to Cebu last year. I did not have time to talk to him as he was busy oraganizing a tournament for San Roque. In his announcement in his intention of not running again, Maximo said that being a president of CFA was a hard job. He said that he wants to rest and concentrate on his business.
Running the CFA affairs is not easy. I should know. I was not a president but I was helping then president Mario Ugarte run the affairs of CFA from 1987-1996. It was a thankless job and it was very hard to please everybody. Besides, I had to spend my own money and invest a lot of my time just for the love of the `beautiful game'. And I did it without receiving a single cent.
Anyone interested on the CFA presidency should think many times before he decides to run for office. Are you willing to spend your own money, invest your time and get criticize all the time? Then if you are,go ahead.
Running the PFF is different. It is a job everyone wants. You get all the perks if you become the PFF president. You get invited and get a ticket for the World Cup, Olympics and other major football tournaments. You also travel a lot representing the Philippines in various FIFA meetings. Money? There are lots of them. You get from sponsors and from Fifa. PFF get millions from Fifa annually. God Bless
| Comments () >> |
 |
 |
