Phil adds free kick to his arsenal

MALE – Azkals defender Anton del Rosario was ribbing striker Phil Younghusband about not scoring on a free kick for the national team before.

He just made a breakthrough Saturday night in Phl’s semis-clinching 2-0 win over Turkmenistan, connecting not on his usual strikes but on a free kick.

“I’ve never really taken free kicks for the Azkals before, until recently,” said Younghusband.

He did have much of free kick attempts with his club, Loyola Meralco Sparks in the United Football League, where he even scored four free kicks in five matches the past season.

“Having a lot of practice with Meralco and now with the Azkals, obviously I’ve had a lot more experience taking free kicks now,” he said.

Looking to score his breakthrough goal in the tourney, Younghusband got his opportunity when Patrick Reichelt got tackled from just outside the box at the 49th minute.

After contemplating on passing it to Stephan Schrock, Younghusband decided to take the shot himself, slamming the ball into the bottom corner as the Phl gallery erupted.

“I was always eyeing that side no matter where the keeper was. The most important thing is you pick a spot and you aim for that spot,” he said.

The Golden Boot winner in 2012 made his first goal here.

“Finally scored,” he  said.

Unlike before when his main role was to shoot, Younghusband has to get on the ball more, make a few passes, defensively get back to shape in the current set up.

“I’m not up top so scoring opportunity is a lot less now. People will say Phil didn’t score but I mean we have two strikers out there and I’m probably supporting the two so my role in the team is a lot different. 

“But being recognized as a striker, people always judge me on how many goals I score. Even if I have a really good game and I don’t score, they’ll be saying Phil’s off. But it was good to get the goal, gives me more confidence for the upcoming game,” he said.