PH Girls thrash England 6-0 to barge into Street Child World Cup semis

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Girls’ Team put on a dominating display of efficient football as they sailed past England, 6-nil, in the 2014 Street Child World Cup Quarterfinals, Saturday, April 5, at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After topping Group 2 in the preliminaries, the Filipinas continue to raise eyebrows as they tamed England by six goals, with Agot scoring another hat trick to set her team a date with Mozambique in the semifinals. 

“Parang friendly lang, tapos pakikisama ng teammate and we give it to God. We appreciate everyone who is supporting Team Philippines,” the Davao native Agot said after the game.

(The atmosphere is good, it feels like we’re playing a friendly. It was the camaraderie within the team that made us win and we give it to God. We appreciate everyone who is supporting Team Philippines.)

“Magtiwala sa isat isa. Discipline and sportsmanship ang kailangan sa loob at labas ng field.”

(We just need to trust each other. Discipline and sportsmanship will be needed in and out of the field.)

The Philippines blanked South Africa in their opening game, 9-nil, before wrapping up the group stages with a 3-1 win over El Salvador.  The only remaining Asian side, however, will face a tough test in Mozambique – who also went perfect in the preliminaries to top Group 3. 

In the other quarterfinal matches, hosts Brazil trumped Nicaragua, 3-1, while El Salvador escaped Zimbabwe, 5-4. The Philippines’ semis foe Mozambique notched with a 7-3 triumph over South Afrcia.

PH Boys succumb to Pakistan in penalties to end their 2014 SCWC campaign

The Philippines Boys squad, meanwhile, bid farewell to their maiden campaign in the Street Child World Cup after bowing out to Pakistan in penalties. 

The Filipinos – who placed third in Group 2 with two wins, a draw, and a loss – were put ahead by Gawad Kalinga’s Avin for 1-nil.

Pakistan, however, put up a stirring comeback in the dying moments of the match after pinching in a late-game equalizer to send the game to extra time.

After both squads were unable to find the winner in the extension period, Pakistan came out composed in the penalties as they banked in all of their three attempts to send home the Philippines, who only converted two out of their three shots.

“Before the game we spoke to the boys about how the result wasn’t important here, it was that they tried their best, gave everything for the team, but importantly enjoyed the game too,” PH Team Leader and Head Coach Roy Moore said in a statement. 

“We’ve a lot to be proud of with the boys, they’ve progressed very well on and off the pitch, and we hope this experience will prove to be a genuine stepping stone for them as they take back what they learn to their communities.”

The PH Boys won their games against Nicaragua (1-0) and Tanzania (2-0) in the preliminaries while drawing Argentina, 1-1, and dropping their game against Burundi, 0-4.

Tanzania, Burundi and the United States join Pakistan to complete the Boys semifinal cast.

On a related note, the Philippine delegation announced an auction for the benefit of the team at the Street Child World Cup, with autographed items such as Fulham and Azkals keeper Neil Eheridge’s gloves, and shirts from Rob Gier, Phil and James Younghusband and Chris Greatwich up for grabs.

Those interested can view and bid on items in their Facebook album https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.668288269903881.1073741858.163370857062294&type=3 – Rappler.com