ALTHOUGH James Younghusband doesn’t see the Philippines making it to the World Cup anytime soon, he stresses the Filipinos should not stop trying to get there — even if it takes a hundred years.
After watching some of the matches in Brazil with brother and fellow Azkals star Phil, Younghusband said he dreams of one day seeing the Philippine flag being waved in the most watched sports event in the world.
“Syempre, syempre, you always have that goal in life that whatever you want to do you have to aim high even if you fall a little short, still you have to accomplish something big like the World Cup,” he said during a meet and greet event organized by Clear at Marriott Hotel on Saturday.
The Azkals are a long ways away from that dream, but Younghusband believes that with the right ingredients Filipinos can one day compete against the world's best football players.
"With the right plans, the right people involved, we can get there in the next 10, 20, 50, or even 100 years as long as you always aim high," he said.
Interestingly, the popular brothers root for different teams in the Brazil showpiece.
In a nod to their Filipino-English roots, Phil naturally rooted for England which failed to make it past the group stage while James wants host Brazil to succeed on home soil.
On Saturday, the Younghusbands spent time with eight fans who won in an online game for a chance to break bread with the popular football players.
"Without them (fans) we are nothing," said Phil. "It's difficult for us to keep going when we're having a hard time, but they have been behind us, bringing us up when we are down, they keep us motivated so we're just thankful for them."
"Hanging out with them is our way of showing them what type of people we are, if we are masungit or happy (to be with)," he added.
After the chit chat James stood up to get the microphone and sang a piece from soundtrack from the animated movie The Lion King to the delight of everyone.
"Before in England we would just shy away and hide in the toilet if we are asked to sing or dance, but now that we're here in our motherland we do that, it's part of showing our Filipino culture," said Phil.
Wheelchair-bound Jobert Enamno didn't mind traveling by himself just to see his idols.
"It's a great opportunity and an unforgetable one too," he said.
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