THE Philippine men's football team plays its third and last friendly match today in Davao City sans Filipino-British midfielder Philip James Younghusband, who got injured in last Sunday's game at the Tionko field.
The 23-year-old Younghusband sprained his right ankle in that match won by the RP squad over Hooligans FC, 9-2, and will be forced to sit out the match this afternoon against champion team Medvil FC starting at 4 p.m.
"I was going for the ball when I hurt my ankle early in the second half. I'm not playing tomorrow," Younghusband told Sun.Star Davao Tuesday morning at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Without their top man at the middle, the Filipino booters are still installed the heavy favorite over Medvil under coach Ramonito Carreon.
Simon Alexander McMenemy, the British coach of the RP team, said today will be their last friendly match in their brief 10-day training camp in the City of Durian.
McMenemy said after today's game they will hold two more practice sessions on Thursday before wrapping up their Davao workout.
The team, which will leave for Manila on Sept. 24, is preparing for the Suzuki Cup set this October in Laos.
McMenemy said they held their training camp in Davao to avoid distractions and was impressed with their practice sessions here.
The RP squad led by McMenemy and players Philip and his elder brother James, captain Ali Borromeo and Chipi Caligdong also conducted a clinic for some 200 kids at the Deca Homes Resort Residence field in Barangay Tacunan, Tugbok District last Sept. 18.
The RP team first played University of Mindanao last Friday and was held to a scoreless first half before erupting with six goals in the second half for a 6-0 win.
Philip Younghusband starred in that match with two goals, but his injurty will leave his brother James, Borromeo, Caligdong and Peter Jaugan of Davao City to carry the load for the team today.
Sun Star Davao
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