James Younghusband announces retirement from football

FILE – James Younghusband for the Philippine Azkals. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines— Filipino football star James Younghusband, who, along with brother, Phil, played an integral role in the rise of the Azkals, announced his retirement from football on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Younghusband started playing for the national team as part of the Under-23 side in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games up until the Philippines’ first appearance in the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year.

He played 101 times for the country, scoring 12 goals, including one of the most underrated in the history of the national team in 2010.

With the Philippines down 2-1 against Laos deep in stoppage time in the AFF Suzuki Cup Qualifiers in Vientiane, Younghusband scored on a header off Neil Etheridge’s free kick, allowing the Azkals to salvage a point.

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It turned out to be a precious point as the Azkals qualified for the main draw in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2010. It was in the Vietnamese capital where the Azkals pulled off one of there biggest victories to date – the 2-0 win over Vietnam at My Dinh Stadium.

Younghusband spent his youth career at English club Chelsea, before moving to the Philippines in 2009. He played for Loyola Meralco in the United Football League and Meralco Manila in the Philippines Football League.

Together with younger brother Phil, he moved to the Davao Aguilas and stayed there until the team disbanded in 2018.

James took a break shortly after the Asian Cup, before joining Ceres Negros FC in the second half of the PFL season. He was part of the Ceres side that pulled off a league and Cup double.