Football: PH girls and boys storm into Street Child World Cup quarters

The Philippine boys and girls teams are making waves in Rio, Brazil at the second Street Child World Cup of football.

The girls are undefeated in their group games and must be considered one of the favorites to lift the trophy. The women's event features nine sides split into three groups of three.

The Filipinas roared past South Africa 9-0 in their first assignment on the 30th of March then defeated El Salvador 3-1 on Wednesday to win their group . Ronalyn, Agot, and Angelica scored for the Pinays. Agot had scored four goals in the rout of South Africa.

(The Fairplay For All Foundation, which is managing the team, prefers not to give the last names of the players for privacy purposes. )

The Philippines qualify as the second seed in the girl's quarters and will meet England next. The home side are the top seed.

The Philippine boys began their campaign on a winning note, with a solid 1-0 victory over Nicaragua on April 1 in their group. Later on in the day the Pinoys stumbled to an excellent Burundian squad, 4-0. But on Thursday morning the Filipinos rebounded with a magnificent 2-0 triumph against Tanzania.

Stephen, from Mango Tree House in Rodriguez, Rizal, was adjudged man of the match for his terrific defensive play during the game. Tyrone, the smallest player on the field, scored with a header just before half time.

Then on Thursday evening, (Friday morning, Philippine time), the Pinoys conceded first, then equalized to draw Argentina 1-1. It can now be confirmed that other results in the tournament put the Pinoys in the last eight as well, where they will face Pakistan.

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There are fifteen teams in the boy's event split up into three groups of five. The top two from each group plus the two best third-placers make the last eight. All the games are seven-a-side.

The teams are being sponsored by Witsenburg Natural products, a Dutch company that sells health food items, (some of which are sourced in the Philippines) and AgriNurture Inc., a Filipino agribusiness firm. Globe Telecom, Bootcamp Football store, and The Camp indoor football facility have also lent their support.

Players on the two Filipino teams hail from Gawad Kalinga communities in Metro Manila, as well as Davao and Rodriguez (Montalban) in Rizal. Both squads are being coached by Englishman Roy Moore, who also heads the FairPlay For All Foundation. The foundation also has a football program in place in Payatas, Quezon City.

Assisting Moore are Enzo Pinga of Team Socceroo, and 2010 Street Child World Cup vets Roberto Orlandez, now playing for St. Benilde in the NCAA, Erica Mae Inocencio, and Noriel Pineones. The 2010 tournament featured teams composed of both boys and girls.

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Aside from the football, the street kids from all over the world have been busy with off-the-field activities, such as visiting the Maracana stadium that will host the FIFA World Cup final match in July, as well as the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that towers over the city.

The players have also been able to meet notable Brazilian footballers like Gilberto Silva, Bebeto, and Luis Boa Morte, who have lent some glitter to the event.

The first Street Child World Cup was held in 2010 in South Africa, with India defeating Tanzania in the final. The Philippines won the second-tier shield competition, topping hosts South Africa in the final match.

The event is not just a football tournament but also a conference on the issue of street children, where the “Rio Rights Declaration” will be unveiled.

Joe Hewitt, director of the SCWC Brazil office, says the event “aims to build an empowered, international group of former street children, equipped to return home as street champions, role models to other children, and advocates within their own countries and communities.”

Follow the Philippine team's exploits at their Facebook page. Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.