Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Phil Younghusband has drawn the attention of the Uzbekistan national football team coach Samvel Babayan, who said that stopping the Filipino star is a key part of their game plan.
Babayan acknowledged the skills of the Philippine Azkals ahead of their crucial World Cup Quailifying fixture, but has singled out Younghusband as the prime threat to his team.
“I think the Philippines national team has a very good team,” said Babayan. “ But I will underline the team captain, if we could neutralize him then we could build our game.”
Related: Phil Younghusband: ‘We’re confident we can upset Uzbekistan’
Azkals coach Thomas Dooley moved Younghusband deeper into the midfield for the national side in the past few games in a bid for to utilize the Chelsea youth product’s creativity to spark attacks.
“Everybody knows that Phil is one of the best players that we have in the Philippines,” said Dooley. “They always try to keep him down from all sides.”
Though Younghusband recognizes that he is a marked man, he is certain that the opponents are also wary of the threat that his teammates pose as well.
“It’s never really one player you focus on and I’m sure they’ll know from our previous games, from our previous tapes what our other players can do,” said Younghusband.
“I’m sure they are looking at other players as well who could be dangerous.”
The Philippine Azkals take on Uzbekistan in a World Cup Qualifying match on Tuesday (September 8) at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.
