MANILA, Philippines – After three days of intense training at the first ever Clear Manchester United Football Camp, Manchester United Soccer Schools coaches’ Kevin O’Connel and Jamie Fitzpatrick selected the six amateur football players that will get the chance to play alongside James and Phil Younghusband, and Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Andy Cole at the Clear Dream Match.
Continuously paving the way for the development of Philippine Football, in the last few weeks CLEAR and the United Football league (UFL) held regional tryouts in search for the best amateur football players in the country. After four legs of rigorous tryouts in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Metro Manila, UFL and CLEAR singled out 32 standout amateur players—eight from each region.
“This is what football is all about. It’s about pursuing one’s dream of greatness. We’re excited for the country to watch how the top six will perform alongside Manchester United legends Scholes and Cole,” said Clear brand manager Drew Copuyoc.
The top 32 were taught the same training principals that cultivated world class players David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and CLEAR Global endorser and 2014 FIFA Ballon D’ Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
“All Manchester United Soccer Schools coaches are trained and developed within the Manchester United coaching philosophy and methodology and have also built up a wealth of experience from working with young players of all ages, abilities and nationalities all over the world during the past 15 years,” said Jamie Reigle, the Manchester United Managing Director for Asia Pacific.
The three-day camp concluded with an awarding ceremony that gave recognition to the best performers during the three-day camp. Nathaniel Ace Villanueva was awarded the best goalkeeper; Cristituto Pino, best defender; Mario Lorenzo Ceniza, best midfielder; and Yves Russel Caballero, best striker.
As part of the Manchester United Schools program, coaches Fitzpatrick and O’Connell gave out three awards – Michael Mabanag was the Skills Challenge winner, Julian Miranda was awarded for having the best attitude and Daniel Bernande Gadia was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award.
After having trained the top 32 players for three days, the Manchester United Soccer Schools coaches chose the six coveted players that would be included in the biggest all star football game in the country, the CLEAR Dream Match.
The players chosen were UAAP Season 76’s football rookie of the year Francisco Primo Santos, the chosen MVP Daniel Bernan Gadia, Javier Gayoso and Michael Mabanag – who has participated in the last two Clear Dream Matches. Rounding up the list are Davao’s Joseph Diamante and Yoshiharu Koiumi.
Slated on June 7, this year’s CLEAR Dream Match will finally decide the rivalry between James and Phil Younghusband and will feature Manchester United living legends Paul Scholes and Andy Cole. Team captains James and Phil Younghusband will draft the top six amateur players chosen on April 30. Tickets will be available at SM ticket outlets starting May 1.
Individual Awards:
Best Goalkeeper – Nathaniel Ace Villanueva (Manila)
Best Defender – Cristituto Pino (Manila)
Best Midfielder – Mario Lorenzo Ceniza (Cebu)
Best Striker – Yves Russel Caballero (Cebu)
MVP: Daniel Bernan Gadia (Manila)
Skills Challenge Winner – Michael Mabanag (Manila)
Best Attitude: Julian Miranda (Cebu)
Top 6 Players
Joseph Diamante (Davao)
Yoshiharu Koizumi (Davao)
Francisco Jose Primo Santos (Manila)
Daniel Bernan Gadia (Manila)
Javier Gayoso (Manila)
Michael Mabanag (Manila)