PFL: Younghusbands battle Sparks since transfer
AN interesting Philippines Football League encounter happens tomorrow between league leader FC Meralco Manila Sparks and Davao Aguilas FC as it would mark the first time that Phil and James Younghusband will face their former team since transferring to the Mindanao-based squad in July.
Long time the faces of the Meralco team, the Younghusbands saw their run end with the orange-and-black when they decided to explore other opportunities and head to Davao.
The Sparks are atop of the standings with 12 wins, five draws and two losses for 41 points while Davao (0-7-9) is at seventh place with seven points.
Meralco has won all three contests against Davao so far, with the last one, 3-2, coming on July 29 just as it was announced that the Younghusbands were moving to the Aguilas.
Heading into tomorrow’s game, to be played at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium at 7 p.m., the two teams are coming off draws with Meralco held to a nilnil draw by Global Cebu FC last Saturday and Davao settling for a 1-1 stalemate with Ceres-Negros FC on Wednesday.
Apart from national players Phil And James Younghusband, also set to make his debut outing against Meralco is newly named Davao coach Marlon Maro, who took over from Australian coach Gary Williams, who failed to lead the Aguilas to a victory during his stint as coach.
Now at the helm, Mr. Maro, the country’s Under- 22 national team coach, said he hopes to turn things around for the team for the remainder of the season and build on it moving forward.
“To our fans, we are still on the right track for the remaining matches,” said the Davao coach after their spirited showing against powerhouse team Ceres.
Tickets for the Meralco-Davao game are priced at P20 for the bleachers and P50 for the grandstand, and are available at the gate. —