Philippines kicks off Street Child World Cup with 9-0 rout of South Africa

MANILA, Philippines – After overcoming adversities here at home, the Philippine girls’ team put up an inspired opening performance in Rio de Janeiro, defeating South Africa, 9-0, in the 2014 Street Child World Cup in Brazil.

Team captain and Davao native Agot poured in four goals while Payatas’ Ronalyn added a hat trick of her own to tug the Philippines to Group 2’s top spot, ahead of South Africa and El Salvador in the table.

(RELATED: Filipino youth will make their names at Street Child World Cup)

Angelica of Payatas and Davao’s Maylene also found the back of the net for the Philippines to wrap up the rout that could have gone worse if the Filipinas did not hit the woodwork several times against South Africa.

“The team performed very well. You could see they were nervy at the start of the game, they hit the woodwork several times, but they dominated possession and played excellently,” Philippine Team Leader and Head Coach Roy Moore said.

“We’ve all worked very hard in training and you could really see the results on the field.”

The girls’ team – together with their boys’ division counterparts – started their preparations as early as February, training alongside United Football League club Team Socceroo FC while also playing scrimmages with University of the Philippines’ varsity squads. 

With some of their members either orphaned or born in cemeteries, the Philippine crew turned their backs from scavenging thrash to becoming footballers as the private sector pitched in their contributions to be able to fly the squads to the South American nation of more than 200 million people. 

The girls’ team is backed by AgriNurture, Inc., a company that advocates Philippine farmers, and Dutch company Witsenburg Natural Products. NGO Fairplay for All Foundation which works in Patayas, Quezon City, the location of the biggest rubbish dump in the Philippines also contributed in the team’s fundraising. 

Organized in association with Save the Children, over 200 youngsters from 19 countries worldwide will battle in a 10-day showcase of football talent in only the second edition of the Street Child World Cup.

Alongside Moore are Team Socceroo captain Enzo Pinga and Street World Cup alumni Erica Mae Inocencio, Roberto Orlandez Jr, and Noriel Pineones.

The PH girls’ team faces El Salvador next on Wednesday, April 2, while the boys’ squad – which is bracketed with Burundi, Tanzania, Nicaragua, and Argentina in Group 2 – kicks off their campaign against Nicaragua.

You can still support the boys and girls teams as well as the sustainable projects back in the Philippines by going to the donation page here: www.justgiving.com/Fairplay-For-All-Foundation. – Rappler.com