Powerful Canas header lifts Andy Cole-reinforced Team James

Nursing a sprained ankle, Spanish defender Joaco Canas was supposed to be watching the match from the sidelines.

But the opportunity to share the pitch with two football legends was too good to pass up for the Loyola Meralco standout.

In the end, it was Canas, who stole the thunder from the stars with a powerful header in the second half that lifted the team of James Younghusband past the squad of his younger brother Phil, 1-0, in the final instalment of the Clear Dream Match at University of Makati pitch.

Canas was named most outstanding player and best defender as Team James won the series, 2-1, after both teams split their matches in the last two years.

Much of the hype was centered on Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Andy Cole who suited up for Team Phil and Team James, respectively.

A year removed from retirement, Scholes remained a wizard at work at midfield, regaling the crowd with his vision, clever touches and pinpoint passing. One lofted ball for Phil inside the area turned out to be the best chance of the match for his side.

Although a few pounds heavier than when he was firing goals for United, Cole forced the save from Nick O’Donnel which led to the corner kick that Canas finished off in the 77th minute.

The two teams hardly took risks in attacking and players lacked with familiar sharpness, unlike in the first two editions which had a combined 11 goals.

The celebrations were tempered with organizers concerned over the condition of Phil, who was rushed to the hospital for “precautionary measures” after accidentally bumping heads with Reynaldo Villareal in the 86th minute.

Phil, the national team’s leading scorer who was playing his seventh match since May 22 in the AFC Challenge Cup, underwent a CT scan and cervical spine X-Ray later.

“He was seen by a neuro and the results are normal,” said Cathy Nazareno, the Younghusbands’ business partner.

Izzo El-Habbib was named best striker, while Team James’ Simon Greatwich was best midfielder in the All-Star showcase.

“We’re just happy to have played with legends like Paul and Andy,” said Team Phil’s Chris Greatwich.  “Its a moment we will never forget.”