THE Philippine team to the Deloitte Street Child World Cup capped a smashing two weeks of athletic achievement on the international stage when it beat host country South Africa, 2-1, in the tournament’s inaugural edition for the Shield trophy.
The long and arduous 15-hour flight from the African continent notwithstanding, the Filipinos were clearly excited to be back on home soil in front of an adoring crowd of countrymen and media people during a press conference held at the Amici Restaurant just outside Don Bosco, Makati.
The Street Child World Cup is an international football competition for players aged 14 to 16 (boys and girls) who must have lived on the streets at one time in their lives. The Philippines was one of eight countries invited to compete in the tournament that was held in South Africa.
The participation of the team from the Philippines was coordinated by team manager Craig Burrows and Ed Formoso, coordinator of the football program of the Henry V. Moran Foundation. The team was selected and trained by Henry V. Moran Foundation with support from Tuloy sa Don Bosco, Gawad Kalinga and Nayon ng Kabataan.
In Team Philippines’ first assignment, it played the United Kingdom. The kids got off to a good start with three shots on goal being stopped by only the post and the crossbar. After a scoreless first half, the Filipinos were so excited about notching their first goal that they failed to get back on defense.
The British were superb in the counterattack and felled the Filipinos, 4-2. During the match, one of the British players viciously elbowed team captain Erica Inocencio in the face. Undaunted, she retaliated and got the rest of the other teams cheering for the Philippine side.
Said Philippine striker Noriel Pineones, who notched five goals in the tournament: “Even if we lost, we came away very confident that we could beat them. First time kasi.”
After a second 2-0 loss to eventual finalist Tanzania, the Philippines rebounded mightily by shocking Brazil, 6-2. They went on to face host South Africa for the Shield trophy, the only other prize that was being handed out in the competition. Midfielder Mario Titoy, unmarked in the third minute of extra time, headed home a corner shot from Pineones for a 2-1 win.
Ever gracious in victory, the Filipinos picked up a South African flag and ran around the pitch in jubilation as the crowd and other participating teams cheered on.
“They played with a lot of heart and because of that, they were the crowd favorites,” marveled coach Jess Landagan, who hopes to see some of his wards suit up for his team at Rizal Technological University.
The members of the Philippine team and delegation were Erica Mae Inocencio, Raymond Elona, Jayson Simangan, Ladylyn Ampe, Lorelyn Cabanayan, Roberto Orlandez, Noriel Peneones, Mario Titoy, John Robert Gaerlan,and Gerry Boy Joaquino. Besides Landagan and Burrows, also on hand were team assistant James Gates and social worker Marivi San Juan.
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This a great event especially for street children, I'm so proud to be a Filipino. Mabuhay!
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