Chad Gould returns

This story came out in Sun.Star Cebu on May 9, 2011

FILIPINO-British striker Chad Alesna Gould returned to the Philippines and will try to make a comeback after almost two years of absence from the Philippine Football National Team.

Gould, who joined the Azkals back in 2004, said he is considering the team�s offer to play for the Azkals in the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers first round match against Sri Lanka on June 28 and July 3.



Former PFF President Mari Martinez invited Gould to join the team last year but he declined due to unresolved issues.

�I wanted to join the team, was ready and willing to do so, but was ultimately unable to because of matters outside of my control. I am passionate to play for the Azkals and will always be available if called upon,� Gould said in an email.

After playing for the country in the 2004 Tiger Cup and 2005 Southeast Asian Games, Gould went to London and made a career as a beach soccer player and a musician. He even played for England in the Beach Soccer World Cup though it wouldn�t pose any eligibility problems for him.

He was supposed to fly out to Mauritius this Tuesday and represent England in beach football but decided to give more priority in his long-time dream of playing for the Philippines in the World Cup qualifiers.

Gould had been a significant player for the national team. Aside from scoring eight goals in 12 games for England, he also had six goals in 13 caps for the Philippine team. He also struck the winning goal during the AFC Challenge Cup against Bhutan.