ALLAN THE MAN

Brothers Phil and James Younghusband will not be part of the national roster in the upcoming Philippine Football Peace Cup.

Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss informed the brothers via text message that they will not be part of the team for the four-team mini-tournament organized by the Philippine Football Federation, which is slated from September 25-29 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

“James sorry for not being able to talk to you personally… so I have to inform you per text that Phil and you are not included in the list for the Peace Cup… anything else after remains to be seen… take care and all the best! MW” wrote Weiss in a text message to James.

The news came as a shock to the brothers, who have been the faces of the Azkals since their rise to prominence in the 2010 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup. Phil is the team’s best scorer and finisher, while James is regarded as one of the team’s leaders while playing an important role in the midfield.

Curiously, Weiss’ message leaves the Younghusbands’ future status up in the air. After the Peace Cup, the Azkals are set to play in a series of friendly matches to gear up for the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where they try to duplicate their semifinals feat from two years ago.

In a joint message, the brothers reaffirmed their desire to continue donning national colors.

“We remain 100 percent committed to the national team. We do not know what transpired, as we have been in constant talks with Coach Weiss. But we respect whatever decision management has. We will be available for whatever call up,” they said, before hinting displeasure over how they were informed via text message about the decision.

“We wish communication is better amongst player, national team, and club.”

The Younghusbands last played for the Azkals in the team’s historic 2-0 victory over Singapore last September 7. They missed the Philippine team’s last assignment in its Southeast Asian training tour against Laos to fly back to Manila to commemorate the first death anniversary of their mother.

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