Phil Younghusband edges out brother James in charity game

MANILA, Philippines – In this battle of brothers, the younger one came out on top.

Phil Younghusband led his team to a 5-1 victory in the Clear Dream Match over James Younghusband’s team at the University of Makati Football Stadium on August 25, 2012. 

Phil scored a hat trick including 2 wonder goals with a chested down volley in the 26th minute, and a chip over Team James keeper Ref Cuaresma from 35 yards out in the 29th minute.

Those goals and the star-studded teams more than thrilled the high-capacity crowd in this charity for the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation.

Team Phil closed out a dominating first half with a curling effort by Ossenyou Diop, who was loosely marked to give them a 3-nil lead.

Team Phil’s upfront clinical play and Team James’ failure to build-up in their final third was a repeat of the story in the first half of the match.

The crowd cheered on, at the same time pitting the brothers against each other.

The Youngusbands have been teammates nearly all their professional lives–in the Chelsea Reserve team, the Azkals, and the Loyola Meralco Sparks FC.

Team James came out hungrier in the second half with James Younghusband smashing a quick goal three minutes after a restart, after Team Phil failed to clear the ball after a corner.

Kaya FC players Nate Burkey and Anton Del Rosario both pushed forward in the succeeding minutes in order to stage a frantic rally for Team James.

But Phil Youngbusband ended all hopes of a comeback, sending striker Yannick Tuason through with a creative backheel who slotted it past Team James substitute keeper Patrick Deyto in the 62nd min.

Phil scored once again in stoppage time, securing his hat trick with a well-placed shot from just inside the box.

The teams were decided upon through public voting. The Top 40 were then drafted by the two Younghusbands. 

Match awards were given to Eric Tai for People’s Choice Award, Saba Garmaroudi for best keeper, Yves Ashime for best defender, Mikko Mabanag for best midfielder, and Ossenyou Diop for best striker.

Stellar play from Loyola Meralco Sparks’ Park Minho earned him the match’s Most Valuable Player Honors. -Rappler.com