Team James reigns supreme at CLEAR Dream Match III

MAKATI, Philippines- It wasn’t a goalfest like the first two installments of the CLEAR Dream Match as James Younghusband and team only needed a lone goal to end his sibling rivalry with Phil Younghusband and win 1-nil. A header from Loyola Meralco Sparks’ Joaco Cañas at the 72nd minute was the deciding factor at the University of Makati Stadium, Saturday, June 7. 

Team Phil had its chances to score. Manchester United star and second highest goal scorer in Premier League in history Andy Cole was wide open inside the box for a shot at goal as early as the 11th minute but Azkals’ midfielder OJ Porteria kept the ball to himself to the legend’s dismay.

Team Phil’s most threatening chance came in the 38th minute when a cross from Matt Hartmann was volley kicked by Kenshiro Daniels only to be denied by a good reflex save by Sadia. Eleven-time Premier League title holder Paul Scholes also displayed class and passing prowess, feeding long balls to his teammates while making it look easy. 

Paul Scholes had two attempts at the second half but wasn’t able to convert. A free kick in the 79th minute went way above the crossbar and a shot from inside the box at the 89th was off target. Cañas scored the lone goal from a corner in the 72nd minute. 

Competition turned to concern in the 84th minute when Phil Younghusband went down in pain after clashing heads with Reynald Villareal.

After the emphatic ending to the heated sibling rivalry on the green pitch, Team James had their icing on the cake as three members of the squad took home all the individual honors of the 90-minute football contest. 

Joaco Cañas was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player and the Best Defender trophies, Simon Greatwich received the Best Midfield award, while Roland Sadia bagged the Best Goalkeeper citation.

With the win, James Younghusband is victorious against his own brother in the said event for the second consecutive time ending their series in his favor by 2-1. – Rappler.com 

JM Siasat is a sports journalist based in Manila, Philippines. He can be reached at jmsiasat@ymail.com. Follow him on Twitter @jmsiasat