MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-British striker Chad Gould took a break from a fledgling music career and dimmed his chances of making the England beach soccer squad when he decided to join the Philippine team in the AFC Challenge Cup.
But the decision started getting its desired result Tuesday night as Gould scored the only goal in the RP booters? scrambling 1-0 victory over Bhutan on the first day of the group B qualifying tournament at the National Stadium in Maldives.
Gould, 26, whose acoustic rock band Redgrave inked a recording contract in England recently, headed home an inch-perfect cross from fellow Filipino-British winger James Younghusband in the 13th minute for his fifth international goal since 2003.
?I want it to be clear that my priority is to help the Philippines win,? Gould, who was also picked to the training pool of England beach soccer team, told the Inquirer via e-mail.
?The coach in England said that I will miss out on training that will hinder my chances of making the squad but in my mind, I?d rather be playing for the Philippines,? he said.