In their most recent league victory, which came last Wednesday against Pachanga-Diliman, the famous Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, shone once again to lead their team to a 5-2 win. Returning to his striker role, Phil netted a hattrick. His brother, meanwhile, excelled as an attacking fullback on the right by delivering crosses and holding out attacks of the opposing side.
After the match, Phil admitted that it feels a bit weird adjusting to two various positions on the pitch. Prior to playing up top, the National Football Team’s top goalscorer lurked in midfield as a deep-lying player. The nature of the two areas quite differ but Phil is glad he could switch back-and-forth between the old and new roles quite seamlessly. “It’s difficult because you’re facing different situations. It takes time to adjust but I’m happy to adjust quickly,” he said. After scoring three goals, it’s safe to say the striker-midfielder was really gleeful.
It is not certain whether Phil will stay up front or play deeper again in their remaining games in both league and cup fronts. Regardless, Phil has been impressed with teammate Brad Grayson. The English striker has been providing the goals in the Sparks’ recent matches and that impressive form is something Phil looks forward to, especially if he joins him up front. “Brad’s on fire. Brad’s doing really well. Hopefully, we can get a run of games and build a relationship,” he uttered.
On the other side of the pitch, Phil’s brother, James, demonstrated his talent in an area most Filipinos are not familiar to see him in-by playing right back. Phil shared that his brother used to play right back for the Chelsea youth team, so it did not look odd for him to see his brother there last Wednesday. “He’s been training the whole week. I think he does a good job in that position,” Phil assessed. Like Phil’s place in the rotation, James’ remains enigmatic but the elder Younghusband surely just wants to get himself back. He, and the other Sparks, will return to the field on Wednesday versus Global FC. — LGT
