Azkals can only get better under German coach

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FORMER Philippine Azkals mainstay James Younghusband is optimistic the national men’s football team will just keep on “getting better and better” under re-hired German coach Michael Weiss.

“It’s great to have coach Michael Weiss back and see him at the sidelines of the Azkals. As long as he is able to keep the players together and the rapport together, they can only keep on getting better and better,” said Younghusband in an interview over the weekend.

The celebrated midfielder, who, together with younger sibling and start striker James were the pillars of the Azkals for nearly a decade, had only good words for the German tactician while conducting a mini football clinic during the Decathlon “Sports Festival For All” at its Tiendesitas branch in Pasig.

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A global leader in sports retailing, the French-based Decathlon also held simultaneous clinics for children in table tennis, archery, arnis and judo, among others, in its other branches such as at the Festival Mall in Muntinlupa and SM Masinag in Antipolo.

“Having coach Weiss around really adds motivation to the players. He knows how it works in the Philippines. He’s got the experience. He really is a good motivator and really looks after the players both and off the field,” said Younghusband in recalling his fond memories of the German coach as an Azkal.

He bared that during his recent conversations with the coach, “he (Weiss) told me that when he first came back, his first job was to renew team morale and build a strong bond among the players. It is a bit challenging since you haven’t got much time together.”

Younghusband noted he was more fortunate during his playing days when he, Phil and Stephan Schrock were together with majority of the PH booters under defunct local club powerhouse Ceres FC.

“We were fortunate that we had a strong local league here and we played for Ceres where my brother and I plus several other players suited up together. Our club was also able to participate in several AFC club competitions,” he recalled.

“Keeping team unity is very challenging because it is national football and you haven’t got much time together. It isn’t like club football where you have time together every day. You have only a week or two or more,” Younghusband explained.

“While it is good for their careers and they (the national players) are able to play high level football outside of the country, it is a bit of a challenge in achieving team chemistry when they are recalled for international play,” he added.

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