Pinay booters reach final in Street Child World Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ girls’ team continued its amazing run in the 2014 Street Child World Cup football as it edged Mozambique, 1-0, to enter the finals Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ronalyn of Payatas FC struck for the rampaging Pinays, winning possession then storming past three defenders to knock in a looping goal in the ninth minute and sending them into the championship round.

The Philippines will dispute the title with host Brazil at Fluminense FC Stadium, one of the sites for upcoming Fifa World Cup. The Brazilians blanked El Salvador, 5-0, in the other semis encounter at Maracanã.

“So proud of our girls. They’ve been fantastic on and off the pitch. And now we have a dream final: Brazil versus Philippines in Fluminense!” said Roy Moore, team leader and head coach of the delegation organized by Fairplay for All Foundation and composed of players from Payatas FC, Kids International Ministries, Gawad Kalinga, FC Leveriza, SOS Children’s Village Davao, and Mango Tree House.

Both Phl and Brazil are undefeated going into Sunday’s dream championship showdown. The Pinay girls swept Group 2 action, beating South Africa, 9-0, and El Salvador, 3-1, then disposed of England, 6-0, in the quarterfinals. The Brazilians, for their part, thrashed Indonesia,14-0, and Zimbabwe, 4-0, in Group 1 before turning back Nicaragua, 3-1, in the Last-8.

In the boys’  division, Burundi and Tanzania arranged a title duel after prevailing over their respective Last Four rivals, USA, 6-1, and Pakistan, 4-3.

The Phl boys got into the KO stage but couldn’t go past the quarterfinals in the event for street children held ahead of every World Cup.