A mix of the ‘old’ and the new

PHIL Younghusband is happy to be back with the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team.

As a matter of fact, he can’t hide his excitement at the prospect of scoring goals again when the team opens its second-round World Cup qualifying campaign against Bahrain on June 11.

 “Looking forward to the game. It’s a different format this time,” said Younghusband.

The last time Younghusband saw action and helped the Azkals win a game  in a World Cup qualifier was four years ago. That was when the  Azkals  braved the rains, struck hard twice in the first half and fended off the Sri Lanka Brave Reds, 4-0, before a sellout crowd at the Rizal Memorial football grounds.

He scored two goals in that game, which was a first-round affair.

 “We played Sri Lanka in the first stage, which was easier,” added Younghusband.

Younghusband is among the holdovers of the team, along with goalie Neil Etheridge and Rob Gier. The Azkals are also expected to count on veterans Stephan Schrock and Javier Patino, who are returning to the fold, along with Fil-British goalie Etheridge and Mark Hartmann.

This time around, Phil believes that Bahrain will be more of a challenge, because the field in the World Cup qualifiers will be better. There will be no easy games.

 The Philippines is in Group H of the  second round of Asian Football Confederation matches for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, bracketed with Uzbekistan, North Korea and Yemen. The Azkals are set to meet Yemen in Doha, Qatar on June 16, and Uzbekistan at the Philippine Arena on Sept. 8.

 “Every game is difficult,” added Phil.

But expected to give the Azkals a boost are some new players included in the roster, namely Iain Ramsay, Kevin Ingresso, Luke Woodland, Stephen Palla and Fil-Spanish goalie Tomas Trigo.

Ramsay, a Fil-Australian, is looking forward to his stint with the Azkals.

 “I’m getting the fatigue off my legs. Hoping to do a lot better,” said the 27-year-old Ramsay after his first practice session with the Azkals late Tuesday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

“It was a good session. The level is pretty good,” added Ramsay, a left midfielder, who last played for Melbourne City in the A-League.

Ingresso shared Ramsay’s excitement as well.

 “It’s very good to be with great players in the team. I have played in the fourth division in Germany. But the level is higher here,” said the 22-year-old Ingresso, whose parents migrated to Germany.

Coach Thomas Dooley spent some time teaching the newcomers in the team the system of play of the Azkals. And he liked what he saw.

    “I’m always confident with the team. I saw them in the camp. And with the new team we have here, I am confident we will have great results,” said Dooley. “We expect bigger competition in training and bigger competition in the game.”