The Philippine team for the Homeless World Cup flew to France yesterday (August 19, 2011) to once again try to grab the most coveted championship cup which they first tried to win a year ago at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
The difference in climate and weather may affect their game performance but according to the team it will not be a hindrance. Rudy del Rosario, the team’s head coach said,” They may be playing in a 20-22 degree weather which is still okay. It is just a matter of them adjusting to that.”
A recent meeting with the renowned Philippine Azkals gave way for Chieffy Caligdong, Philippine Azkals co-captain, to greet the Homeless World Cup Philippine Team. “Goodluck at sana manalo tayo hindi lang para sa sarili natin kundi sa bayan natin”, he said.
Dan Palami, Azkals Team Manager, advises them to play with their heart just like in any other sport and to represent the country in any way they can.
The street soccer team’s involvement in this kind of competition is a life changing step since most of their members are out-of-school youths who came from all over the country.
“Dati kasi maloko kami pero nung pinagsama-sama kami natuto kaming magkaisa. Natutong umunawa sa bawat isa. Kahit sa anong bagay. Football o ano man dapat huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Kahit mahirap may pag-asa,” a statement shared by Jeffrey Guelas, one of the team’s players.
