James gets last laugh over Phil in Clear Dream Match

MANILA, Philippines – James Younghusband had the last laugh in their celebrated sibling rivalry with his brother Phil as Team James pulled off a 1-0 victory Saturday night at the packed University of Makati football field in the finale of the Clear Dream Match.

James, however, wasn’t fully happy after seeing his younger brother taken to the nearby St. Luke’s Hospital following a head-on collision with Reynald Villareal towards the end of the regulation.

"I'm really happy my team won, but I hope my brother is okay," said James after the match.

He had a sigh of relief later in the night as results of Phil’s medical tests- CT scan, X-ray of the cervical spine – turned out to be normal.

Joaco Cañas, who played through injury, proved to be the biggest difference in the most competitive match of the trilogy heading in a corner kick from Chieffy Caligdong.

Cañas later took home the Most Valuable Player and best defender hardware. 

The biggest play of the match came just after Team James’ reinforcement Andy Cole, the second highest league scorer in the English Premier League history, almost scored a goal only to be denied by Team Phil’s third-string keeper Baba Sampana at the last minute.

Cole later took a shot at the condition of the field in the post-match presser but still happy they won.

“I could have scored a goal but the field was rocky,” said Cole before turning serious.

“My team did great. Our back four played well. It’s always great to get the victory but I hope Phil’s well,” Cole added.

The Manchester United legend had his moments in the match but failed to find the back of the net.

Phil, who was playing his seventh match in two weeks, hardly found an opening against the impenetrable defense of Team James and the spectacular goal keeping of Roland Sadia. His best shot to score a goal came when his Manchester United legend import Paul Scholes set him up with a pin-point pass on top of the box but got fouled immediately.

Team Phil and Team James split the first two matches of the trilogy with the first Clear Dream match won by the former in a 5-1 massacre then the latter exacted revenge with a 4-1 rout last year.

As expected, Team James swept the individual awards with izzo El Habib (best striker) and Sadia (best goal keeper) joining Cañas at the podium.