Proud to be an Azkal

IN A PLACE where basketball and boxing rule, football is practically a foreign concept. But after the national team’s proud showing in last December’s AFF Suzuki Cup, we don’t mind learning something new.

Thankfully, we found the perfect people to help us. 2bU interviewed Azkals captain Aly Borromeo and brothers Phil and James Younghusband.

Alexander Charles Luis ‘Aly’ Borromeo 
Birthday: June 28, 1983; Age: 27
Position: Central defender, captain

How did you get started in football?

I actually started with gymnastics; I was about five or six years old. I enjoyed tackling and shoving other kids! Haha!

How did it feel to be part of the Philippine team?

I’m very honored to captain the team that made history. I’ve been part of the team for quite a while now, and this was one of our short-term goals.

What’s different about this team?

It was the morale of all the players and staff, coming to each game. Good and high morale equals positive results. We never gave up. Filipino pride all the way!

What keeps you motivated during a game?

All our fans, who have been there with us since Day One. We have all been waiting for this moment to put Philippine Football on the map.

Who do you admire most in your team?

I would say Wally, our physical therapist. He looks after all of us, and is so dedicated to his job.

What tips can you give to aspiring Filipino football players?

Keep thinking positive, keep on practicing, and have the right mindset to succeed. If you go out there everyday and give it your all, there’s no doubt you’ll benefit in the end.

What’s the potential of football in our country, which is more focused on basketball and boxing?

Filipinos have the capability to do well in football. Private sectors and the government should realize the potential, and invest long-term in this. I think we created a real good buzz out there. Now it’s just a matter of keeping the momentum and going further, with greater results.

Getting personal

Describe your personality in one sentence.

Very mellow and down-to-earth.

What keeps you busy apart from football?

My second love is actually basketball. When I’m not on the pitch training, I’m on the courts, tearing it up!

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolates. I can’t stay away from them, any kind!

What kind of girl catches your eye?

As long as she’s sensitive and understands that football is a big part of my life. I’m not picky at all.

What are you most passionate about?

Football. But my family and loved ones come first.

Who is the most important person in your life right now?

Probably my dad. He’s the one who inspired me and taught me how to excel in sports. Without his guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

How do you deal with fawning fans, especially the females?

I’m very accommodating. They’re the ones who give us motivation to win our games.

What’s next for you?

I’ve had offers to play abroad, but my heart is here in the Philippines. Right now, I want to concentrate on making football grow in the country—putting the Philippines on the football map of the world.

Philip James Placer ‘Phil’ Younghusband 
Birthday: Aug. 4, 1987
Age: 23
Position: Striker

James Joseph Placer Younghusband

Birthday: Sept. 4, 1986
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder-right winger

How did it feel to be part of the Philippine team?

P: It’s a great feeling to be part of a team that is doing so much to raise the awareness of football in the Philippines, making history every time we step on the field. And with every success of the team, football is growing and expanding in a country known for its basketball and boxing. It also means a lot, knowing the success in this tournament coincided with my return to the national team after a couple years out, after the team didn’t qualify last time around.

J: It’s a great honor to be part of a team that has been as successful as this. I just hope we can keep the momentum going and continue with more success. The team has worked very hard this past year, and has reaped the rewards of hard work and a never-say-die attitude, and this will help us in the future.

What’s the best thing about football?

P: There is no discrimination. It’s a neutral-gender sport, you can be of any body type and any race, and it’s a sport for the masses. It can be played anywhere, and all you need is a ball.

J: Football has everything. It is a dramatic play, action movie, telenovela, comedy show, even romance story all rolled into one. You can be the villain one day and a hero the next.

What’s the most bizarre thing that ever happened to you on the field?

P: Not a lot of bizarre things happen to me on the pitch, but a lot happens off the pitch, mostly marriage proposals or things thrown, like underwear. It’s flattering, and I never really know what to say or do.

J: This one time, we were training and this strange man ran to the pitch during practice and started teaching me and the other players how to do bicycle kicks. But his technique was far from correct.

The real James and Phi

Describe your personality in one sentence.

P: Outgoing, driven, idealistic, and fiercely loyal.

J: Reserved, a workhorse, silent, and romantic.

What are you like off the pitch?

P: Family-oriented, fun, and amusing and well-mannered.

J: Quiet, patient, and detailed.

What keeps you busy apart from football?

P: We like to spend time with our mum and little sister. We spend a lot of time with friends eating out and having coffee. We like to watch movies and make plans for The Younghusband Football Academy (TYFA).

Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows.

P: I really don’t like fish, and if anyone puts a fish on the table, I find it hard to eat anything.

J: I have a phobia of potato chips. I won’t even touch the packet the chips are in. When Phil and I have a disagreement, he threatens me with potato chips.

What’s the funniest thing about you?

P: I sometimes refer to myself in the third person, and I fill in lyrics of songs with my name.

J: I do a great impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Your guilty pleasure?

P: Lots of massages!

J: Too much sleep.

What kind of girl catches your eye?

P: I look for a nice smile, and someone who is kind. I also like girls with a good sense of humor.

J: Someone who is pretty with a good personality.

What are you most passionate about?

P: My family. They mean everything to me, and I would do anything to protect my mum, brother, and sister. Since our dad passed away when I was 16, I had to grow up quickly and be the man of the house.

J: I am very passionate about my family and football. They are the two loves of my life, and it’s great to marry the two together, and have my family watch my games.

What’s next for you?
P: Well, there is a busy schedule with the national team in 2011 with the challenge cup in February and March and then World Cup Qualifiers in June. We plan to play for the team during those competitions, and then we also have TYFA, where we hope to partner with a local government and help promote and create a structure for football in public schools. We want to change lives through football, and we believe certain values such as teamwork, self-expression, confidence, and many others can be easily learned through football.

J: Everything I do is in partner with my brother, so we hope to capitalize on the success of the national team and maximize the interest in football. As Phil said, we have a lot of national team games next year, and it’s important we continue to be successful.