Clear Dream Match the finale: A question of speed or control

The first two editions of the Clear Dream Match were all about defense. Phil Younghusband made that his strategy two years ago by selecting the top goalkeeper and defender in the UFL in Saba Sadeghi and Yves Ashime respectively. Older brother James adopted the same tactic the following year and received a boost when he landed one-time FIFA Player of the Year Awardee Fabio Canavarro, who was known as the Berlin Wall as a reminder to the Cold War. He is only the third defender in history to win the prestigious footballing award.

So it has come to the rubber match and this year, on the Clear Dream Match Draft Night last Wednesday evening at the Hyve in Bonifacio Global City, the brothers veered away from the formula that saw them each notch a win in this “sibling rivalry.” In what promises to be an explosive finale all the more made big with the participation of two Manchester United heroes, the choices have more of an attacking bent.

Let’s take a look at the respective teams then break them down.

Team James

Forwards: Lee Joo Young, Misagh Bahadoran, Emmanuel Mbata, Izzo El Habbib, and Nate Burkey

Midfielders: Simon Greatwich, OJ Porteria, Marvin Angeles, Chieffy Caligdong, Daisuke Sato,

Defenders: Joaco Cañas, Anton del Rosario, Andrew Liauw, Jeffrey Christiaens, and Dae Han Kang

Goalkeepers: Steve Yambou, Roland Sadia, and Ed Sacapaño

Amateur players: Daniel Gadia and Francisco Jose Primo Santos

Assessment:

First and foremost, Team James has a Kaya flavor to this team. Bahadoran, Mbata, El Habbib, Burkey, Porteria, Del Rosario, Liauw and Yambou all have Kaya blood in them.

But more than that, this team has speed written all over it. They can press and attack. They have highly creative players who move well without the ball.

Plus, they’ve got studs up front.

James’ two wildcard picks in Izzo El Habbib and Daisuke Sato are marvelous additions.

Why am I glowing about this lineup?

James did pretty well in this draft. Much better than Phil if I may say (but of course this is all on paper).

Aside from the “speed kills” theory, they’ve got impact players in Bahadoran, El Habbib and Porteria. The fact that many of these players come from Kaya or all have Azkals backgrounds helps because there’s familiarity with each other’s game.

Team Phil

Forwards: Phil Younghusband, Ruben Doctora, Kenshiro Daniels, Tating Pasilan,

Midfielders: Chris Greatwich, Anto Gonzales, Mark Hartmann, Matthew Hartmann, and Simone Rota

Defenders: Sam Bonney, John Cain, PJ Fadrigalan, Roxy Dorlas,
Goalkeepers: Baba Sampana, Nick O’Donnell, and Patrick Deyto

Amateur players: Mikko Mabanag, Yoshiharu Koizumi, Javier Gayoso and Darius Diamante

Assessment

Phil should have brought his lucky bathrobe…

Kidding aside, Phil’s first five picks have arguably some of the best in their respective positions: Chris Greatwich, Sam Bonney and Baba Sampana (and Patrick Deyto as well).

I’ve always said that control of the midfield is key to any team winning and Phil picked out Anto Gonzales who will help out in that regard as well as tracking back on defense. They’ve got Mark Hartmann, who can pick out teammates with superb passing and can fire away from Beckham-distance. The wild card pick of Simone Rota is excellent!

Excellent additions in Balut Doctora, Kenshiro Daniels and Tating Pasilan, who I am ecstatic has finally become a part of this “all-star game” that is the Clear Dream Match. If the midfielders can find these guys Team James’ defense will be kept busy all night long.

The onus on Phil’s team is for the defense to stop Izzo El Habbib, Misagh Bahadoran, Emmanuel Mbata, Nate Burkey, and Lee Joo Young. If Jonathan Cain can hold his own on his side that will be a load off Sam Bonney.

Now the only thing to be decided (via fan vote) is where does Andy Cole or Paul Scholes play? Team James or Team Phil? That's keeping everyone on the edge of their seat.

Conclusion: Team James’ side looks more solid but that is on paper. It has to be settled on the field.

Sibling rivalry aside, the ultimate winner here no matter how many times it has been said – is local football. An “all-star game” like this with Premier League winners taking part brings more attention to the game and that can only be good for the game. If the presence of the United heroes inspires others then what a great gift it is.

It is said that good things come in threes and the Clear Dream Match in its three years has not only been a much-awaited event as it brings the football community together but it is also a spectacle. June 7 is cannot come soon enough.