Fabio Cannavaro and Dennis Wise headline Clear Dream Match 2

World Cup winning Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Chelsea legend Dennis Wise have landed in the Philippines to compete in the Clear Dream Match 2. Scheduled for this Saturday, August 24, at the University of Makati, it was announced during the event's press conference that proceeds would be headed towards the Tuloy Foundation and victims of Tropical Storm Maring.

Cannavaro, who said the best moment of his life was lifting the World Cup, will play for Team James Younghusband. Meanwhile Wise, who described lifting the FA Cup in 2000 as Chelsea captain while holding his son Henry, his only child at the time, as his best moment in football, will play for Team Phil Younghusband.

‘Football is magic’

Drafted alongside stars of the UFL, Cannavaro and Wise are the latest football stars to come to the Philippines in hopes of developing the sport.

With the Younghusbands’ time in the Chelsea Academy, the brothers were already familiar with the man captaining the side they joined as youngsters, while Cannavaro also brings legendary status with him. As he said in a private interview, “Of course winning the World Cup was the best moment of my life. When you win the World Cup you’re not just a normal player, you become a legend.”

In one instance, as the question was being formed with, "You've played alongside great players like [Gianluigi] Buffon, and…", the Italian interrupted to say, "No, they've played with me." But such But such is Cannavaro’s status in world football that even though he was joking, he can make a joke like that as a football legend.

For both legends, football has been their life. As players, Wise and Cannavaro have been at the top of the game and the Philippine players are looking to learn.

Football is the world’s most popular sport, and with it growing quickly in the Philippines, kids are starting to look at football as a future. Coming at the optimum time, with the Philippines at their highest FIFA ranking in history and inspiring the younger generation, Cannavaro himself summed it up best, saying, “Football is something magic.”

Developing Philippine football

In the same interview, Cannavaro described the need for a good coach and the mentality of the players as the way to develop the sport. Meanwhile, Wise was quick to say that the best way to develop football in any country was through grassroots football, “the sooner, the better, for developing young kids.”

Both players talked about the project, of improving football in the Philippines, as the reason they participated in the exhibition match. Cannavaro said, “The project is good, to improve local football. Not only here but around Asia... It’s good for football, it’s good for FIFA”, while Wise noted the “Good connection with Chelsea,” adding, “If I can help in any way I’m more than happy to help.”

Sibling rivalry

And behind the star power of Wise and Cannavaro, there is still the sibling rivalry between the Younghusband brothers. After thrashing Team James 5-1 last year, Team Phil joked in the press conference that they were looking to go one better and win 6-1.

James on the other hand said of the game that “I wanted revenge, wanted a rematch, we’ve gotta make it count.”

The words were backed up with how James, days earlier, had confirmed for a radio interview after the brothers had initially pulled out due to scheduling conflicts. Without telling Phil about it, James turned up at the radio show leaving his brother with egg on his face, egg he tried to explain and wipe off during the press conference, adding to the pre-match psych outs.

During the press conference though, Phil noted three injuries to his squad, with Carli De Murga and Anton Del Rosario among those unavailable. Despite the losses, Phil can call on Jeffrey Christiaens, OJ Clarino, and Chris Greatwich, among others. Across the pitch though will be Cannavaro and the older Younghusband brother, plus Chieffy Caligdong, Izzo Elhabib, and Misagh Bahadoran, among others.

After the press conference the teams began training for the first time, at the Emperador Stadium, with Team Phil going first before Team James, as they faced off against the U-23 national team in friendly games.

In addition, sources have let it be known that the pitch at the University of Makati will be much better than last year. Despite the rain in previous days, sand has recently been placed down to firm up the middle of the pitch, while no one has played on the surface in the last three weeks leading up to the game.

So fans can arrive at the University of Makati Stadium to get their tickets for the match which kicks off at 7 pm. Though a yearly event, the hope is that the Clear Dream match will help spark long-term grassroots development in the country. A training clinic on Friday, August 25, will precede the match the following game, as youngsters get the chance to learn from two footballing greats.

Preparing for the showdown on August 24, it’s another step for Philippine football. Will Phil Younghusband and Wise help the Berlin Wall come tumbling down again or will Cannavaro be able to repel their siege? Head to the University of Makati, with a 7pm kickoff, to find out. - CLP, GMA News