AFF Suzuki Cup 2010: Younghusbands and Etheridge is future for the Phillippines.

Although the Phillippines didnt make it into the final, but credit deserved to be awarded to the Simon McMenemy side. Only few month in charge of the national team, he managed to open the eyes of the football fans that the Philippines will become another team to watch out.

His wise decision and effort to call abroad players to represent the Philippines was a brave ones even though he knows the risks. The names like Younghusbands brother (ex-Chelsea academy), Neil Etheridge (Fulham), de Jong (Veendam) was the key to his side at current AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 tournament. The historic victory over defending champions Vietnam 2-0 was the prove.

McMenemy tactic was simple. He throwed Phil Younghusband as a lone striker and with some help from Greatwich and James Younghusband in midfield was the strength to this team. What impressed me much was the way the Philippines passes the ball accuracy where the players played a simple passes and always depend to Younghusbands brothers to explore the opponent space. Younghsbands control ball and skills was superb and that was the output from the ex-Chelsea academy.

Defensive side, Fulham reserved GK, Neil Etheridge ability was not to be questioned. His positioning and reflexes is the key strength. De Jong role is to protect the back four was something to proud of.

There are some weaknesses that surely can be improved especially on the confident level of keep more possession and attacking tactical strategy. If the Philippines able to overcome this issue, I believe they will be shocked another ASEAN countries and become one of the competitor in that region.

p/s: I'll be glad to see if theYounghusbands brother can become one of the import player played for MSL (Malaysian Super League) when FAM re-opened the import players couta in 2012.