RP Futkaleros join the Football World Cup

By Jenny S. de Venecia

Ten street children from various charitable institutions flew to Durban, South Africa last March 09 and represented the country in the first annual Deloitte Street Child World Cup (SCWC) held last March 15 to 23.

The SCWC is an international tournament composing of street children ages 14 to 16 and serves as a jumpstart for the upcoming FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa this June.

The Philippines was one of the eight countries chosen to participate in a unique event that aims to give street children a chance to show their abilities and speak of their experiences and trials they faced on the streets.

The ten children were chosen among the 200 players from different government and non-government (NGO) charities and foundations that joined the Pinoy Futbol Festival last year.

Composed of three girls and seven boys, the young squad was lead by Erica Mae Inocencio from Tuloy sa Don Bosco as the skipper. Also included in the team are Jayson Simangan, Ladylyn Ampe, Lorelyn Cabanayan, Gerry-Boy Joaquino and Noriel Pineones of Tuloy sa Don Bosco; Raymond Elona and Mario Titoy of Nayon ng Kabataan in Mandaluyong City/Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Roberto Orlandez of Tondo Futkaleros, a football club in Tondo; and Blueshark Gaerlan of the Muntinlupa United FC, a football club outside the New Bilibid Prison.

The RP “Miracle Team” was grouped with United Kingdom (UK), Brazil and Tanzania. The other group was composed of players from Ukraine, South Africa, Nicaragua and India.

A back-to-back loss for the team over UK (2-4) and Tanzania (0-2) started the cup eventually resulting to a loss in the Group B elimination round. However, the team got back to its knees as they won the consolation round, beating Ukraine (3-0), Brazil (6-2) and South Africa (2-1).

Finishing fifth out of eight countries, the Filipino footballers arrived last Wednesday and brought home with them the Street Child World Shield Trophy, the only award given in the tournament aside from the championship cup after winning against the host team.