End of an era in FC Meralco football as Younghusband brothers move to Davao
FC MERALCO Manila raced to its eighth win in 12 matches in the Philippines Football League last Saturday after defeating host team Davao Aguilas FC, 3-2, in their scheduled fixture. It was, however, the team’s last with brothers Phil and James Younghusband after they decided to take their talents to Tagum.
After news broke out previously that Davao sought to acquire the services of the Younghusbands from Meralco, the team made it official last weekend that indeed their key stalwarts were moving on to another team.
It was an end to what was a fruitful seven-year partnership between the club and the Younghusbands both on and off the field that saw them win national and United Football League titles along the way.
The Younghusbands, too, had been an integral part of Meralco’s impressive run to date in the newly formed PFL, which has the Manila team on top of the standings with eight wins, three draws and one loss and 27 points following its victory over Davao.
“It is with great sadness that FC Meralco Manila announces today that James Younghusband and Phil Younghusband will be leaving the club and transferring to Davao Aguilas FC during the current PFL transfer window. The match today (Saturday) against the Aguilas in Tagum will be their final game in Meralco colors,” read the Meralco statement to their fans.
“We made an earnest attempt to keep James and Phil in Manila with an offer of a contract extension. But the brothers elected to pursue this opportunity with Davao. They asked for a release from their current contract and we have granted it, allowing them to sign with the Aguilas,” it continued.
The statement further said, quoting club Vice- Chairman Randy Roxas, “Their ( Younghusbands) leadership, work ethic, and professionalism never failed to inspire their teammates. Off the pitch the Younghusband brothers embodied our club’s values in every way and tirelessly worked to promote the game and serve as ambassadors for Meralco. We can never thank them enough for all they have given to us.”
Meralco ended the statement by wishing the Younghusbands well in their next journey.
EVENTFUL EXIT
In the game against Davao, Phil and James Younghusband made it an eventful exit for them in Meralco, with the former having a hand in the two goals they scored and the latter scoring one.
Meralco trailed early in said match when Davao Australian striker Harrison Sawyer punched through in the 33rd minute to push the Aguilas up on the board.
Eight minutes later, Meralco would pull even with Milan Nikolic nodding in a corner from Phil.
Davao, however, would answer back right away with newly acquired Matt Hartmann on the scoring end to give team the upper hand anew, 2-1, at the halftime break.
Meralco worked to make up for lost ground and was consequently rewarded in the 64th minute when Phil and James conspired in beating the Davao defense and the latter scoring the tying goal.
Mr. Nikolic then followed it up with another goal two minutes later to give his team a 3-2 lead, an advantage they would hold the rest of the way.
“It was an emotional match. Thanks to the great crowd and thanks to Phil and James for all they have done for the club,” said Mr. Nikolic, named man of the match after.
“You all are like brothers to me,” James Younghusband, for his part, said to the team after the game.
Meanwhile, with the Younghusbands moving to Davao, it is worth noting the kind of dynamic that should happen within the involved teams in the transfer, said a local football observer and writer.
“Well it’s wait and see for me when it comes to Meralco. The transfer of the brothers can go both ways. It can make them go down from their lofty position in the standings or open up space for some of the younger players to grow into the side. If I recall correctly, team manager Belay Fernando promised that there’ll be an emphasis on good, young local players so the transfer of the brothers can potentially help them grow,” said Lorenzo del Carmen, a writer for local site Tiebreaker Times.
“For Davao, the only way to go must surely be up. They’ve spent so much on recruiting not only the Younghusband but also Matt Hartmann, Jason De Jong, Jordan Jarvis and Simone Rota. These players should help the team improve from their 0- 5-7 record and seventh place right now in the PFL,” added Mr. Del Carmen. —