‘Pinoy booters can do the job ’

BACOLOD — For brothers James Joseph and Philip James Younghusband, being members of the Philippine football national team and helping it win a medal in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games would be an honor they would long cherish.

The Fil-Britons said a medal of any color they could win here would be badge of honor they would carry when they rejoin the Chelsea Football Club reserve team after the SEA Games.

And the two are confident the team can get the job done, winning its very first medal in this biennial meet among 11 nations.

"I have not seen the other teams but I’m confident we can win," said Phil, 18, a leading Chelsea reserve who has played with the Chelsea Division I team once during the pre-season.

"Our team has not won a game in 10 years. Hopefully we could change that," said James, a towering 21-year-old, 6-foot-1 midfielder.

How these Chelsea reserves were recruited into the RP XI is an interesting story.

"I was told that a (Filipino) kid just saw my name on a computer game. Probably, he’s a football player and he told the Philippine football officials who then made an inquiry on us," said Phil. Phil and James didn’t have second thoughts in accepting the invitation to join the RP team since they’ve been frequenting the country for holidays trips since they were kids.

Their mother, Susan Placeo, from Manila, met their father Phil, Senior during holiday more than 20 years ago.

The brothers said their father, who loves football, influenced them to take up the sport. They joined the Chelsea program when they were about 10.

While admitting their ultimate goal is to make the Premier League, Phil and James said they would be glad to lend their services to the RP team even up to the next SEA Games.

"We have no plans in staying here. But we’re willing to play in the next SEA Games," said James.

Of the two, Phil, a 5-foot-11 striker, is the one expected to play a more important role. "I’ll be pacing the attack and try to score goals," said Phil.

Phil stressed, though, that RP team is not all about him. "They understand the game more than I expected," said Phil of his teammates.