MANILA, Philippines – James Younghusband prevented what could have been a shut-out loss to CF Internacional de Madrid (CFIM) by scoring Azkals Alyansa’s lone goal in the “Dili Kamo Nag-iisa” charity game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Younghusband’s header in the 61st minute was the Azkals Alyansa’s saving grace in their 3-1 loss to the third division Spanish club.
The Azkals reinforced team, composed of members of the Philippine Azkals and the United Football League (UFL), showed tremendous effort against the Spanish team but could not off set CFIM’s passing game.
The Spaniards also put up a strong defense by clipping Azkals Alyansa’s scorers, particularly Filipino striker Chieffy Caligdong.
Rufino Sanchez struck the first goal for CFIM through a penalty kick.
The Spanish team was awarded the kick after Filipino goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano fouled Daniel Garcia Fernandez in the 15th minute.
CFIM hiked the lead to 2-0 in the 32nd minute as Garcia Fernandez scored on a counter attack against the Azkals Alyansa.
After the halftime break, the Spanish team surprised the Filipinos with a quick counter attack in the 45th minute.
CFIM’s Ignacio Buenache Feijoo scored the goal for a 3-0 advantage.
In the 61st minute, it was the Azkals Alyansa’s turn to strike back.
Younghusband scored on a header off a pass from Caligdong.
Winner of the game
Garcia Fernandez, who was chosen as the Best Player of the Game, said his team enjoyed playing against Azkals Alyansa.
“We're very happy to have played the game, we enjoyed it very much…it was a difficult game,” he told ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo.
He added that the real winners in the charity game are the survivors of tropical storm Sendong.
“We're happy that we've won but of course the main winner here is the victims of [tropical storm] Sendong. We're very happy to contribute,” said Garcia Fernandez.
The charity game was organized for the benefit of the victims of tropical storm Sendong, which ravaged southern Philippines last month.
At least 8,000 spectators watched the game at the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
CFIM agreed to play against the Azkals Alyansa to help raise funds for the Sendong victims.
“Spain and the Philippines have a long standing relationship and a very close one... this is a great occasion for friendship renewal,” said Spanish Embassy Charge d' Affaires Maria Molina.
During the halftime break, Molina and CFIM president Stephen Newman turned over €10,000 (more than P550,000) to the Philippine Red Cross and the ABS-CBN Foundation for the benefit of the calamity victims in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.
ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Gina Lopez is thankful for the Spanish Embassy’s role in bringing in CFIM.
“I want to thank the Spanish government, they paid for their fare to come here, and all the proceeds are going to the [Sendong] victims,” she said.
PFF thanks football fans
For his part, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano "Nonong" Araneta said he was grateful for the fans who trooped to Rizal Memorial Stadium just to watch the game.
“I want to thank all the fans who came today for supporting a good cause... in a way, football has contributed. We're very thankful for having given that opportunity," he said.
Araneta said the upcoming Azkals’ game against South Korea’s Icheon will also be for the benefit of Sendong victims.
"On January 21, we'll have a game against second division South Korea...the more we have games here, the more we can raise funds," he said.
ABS CBN News
Pic : Rem Zamora
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