Team James nips Team Phil as Clear Dream football series ends
Video by INQUIRER.net’s RYAN LEAGOGO
Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Team James nipped Team Phil, 1-0, Saturday night at the University of Makati pitch to conclude the Clear Dream Match series that began two years ago.
Joaquin Cañas scored the lone goal for the Andy Cole-backed Team James in the 72nd minute, earning him the Most Valuable Player plum and the best defender citation.
Cañas, who plays in the United Football League, connected on a header off Chieffy Caligdong’s corner kick to pump some life into the match, which ended in contrast to the first two installments.
In the first match in 2012 featuring the thrilling sibling rivalry between the Younghusbands, team Phil won convincingly 5-1, before Team James exacted revenge in 2013 with a 4-1 win.
Cole, one of the English Premier League’s best scorers of all time, had his attempt deflected by Baba Sampana shortly before Cañas game-winner.
“It was a really good game. Everyone enjoyed. The boys did very well,” said Cole after the match.
When asked who among the locals, the bulk of which coming from the UFL, impressed him the most, Cole answered “me” jokingly, but later on praised Team James’ back four.
Team James’ Simon Greatwich was named best midfielder, Izzo El Habbib best striker, and Roland Sadia of Team James as best goal keeper.
After Team James got the upper hand, Team Phil, which was the more aggressive side in the first half, had time left to equalize but lost captian Phil Younghusband to injury.
Younghusband, who had Paul Scholes on his squad, had to be taken to the hospital after colliding head-to-head with Reynaldo Villareal in one play in the 83rd minute.
The Clear Dream Match, which brought big names in football in the past three years to the country, ended with the dream moving closer to being realized.
“Someday football will be the most popular sport in the country, this trilogy helpd that dream become closer,” said Drew Copuyoc.
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