ESPN cites Younghusband for Suzuki Cup exploits

MANILA, Philippines - Azkals striker Phil Younghusband has earned praises for his solid showing in the recent Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup with two football websites naming him among the best players of the tourney.

Younghusband, who scored two goals and issued three assists in the Azkals’ semifinal run in the bootfest ruled by Thailand, made it to ESPN FC Asia’s “Best XI” of the Suzuki Cup and was nominated for the “AFF 2014 Best Player Award” by Goal.com.

The Fil-British, wrote ESPN FC Asia’s Kelvin Leong, has “time and again shown that he is one of the region’s top attackers, capable of scoring goals.”

“While the rest of the Philippines team looked compact and solid, it was Younghusband’s off-the-ball running and directness that set him apart. With two goals and three assists to his name, you have to wonder how much more the Azkals’ superstar has to do before the haters give him the credit he deserves,” the website said.

Younghusband landed a spot in the mythical roster in the company of tournament MVP Chanathhip Songkrasin and Charyl Chappuis of champ Thailand, who led the site’s midfield position.

Also in the list were goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan (Thailand), left-back Perapat Notechaiya (Thailand), centerbacks Shukor Adan (Malaysia) and Tanaboon Kesarat (Thailand), right-back Que Ngoc Hai (Vietnam) and midfielders Hariss Harun (Singapore), Amri Yahyah (Malaysia) and Pham Thanh Luong (Vietnam). War Elephants’ Kiatisak Senamuang was named as Best Coach.

Azkals defender Simone Rota also got a place in the site’s team as one of the subs.

“At 30 years of age, Rota still has the engine to plough up and down the right wing. Scored the Philippines’ first goal of the tournament against Laos and was never overawed even when up against the likes of Phan Thanh Luong and Thailand’s Kroekrit Thaweekarn,” ESPN FC wrote of Rota.

Meanwhile, Younghusband also figured in the race for Goal.com’s accolade.

Editors of the websites nominated Younghusband for being “central to his team’s success in qualifying for the semifinal.” Readers then voted from the shortlist online.

“With his first goal against Laos in the first group game, Phil made a history by becoming the first Filipino player to score in three successive AFF Suzuki Cup tournaments,” the site said.

The Azkals ace eventually settled for “honorable mention” after the first stage of online voting. Rahim, Chappuis and Songkrasin were left to dispute the Goal.com plum in the second stage of the poll.