RP street children absorb 2nd loss

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

The Philippines’ bid for a berth in the Final Four was dashed late Wednesday when the Tanzanian booters outplayed the RP street kids, 2-0, in Day 2 of hostilities in the 1st Deloitte-Street Child World Cup in Durban, South Africa.

With their second loss in as many outings, the RP street kids were eliminated from the race for the World Cup, but still have a chance to take home a trophy as they were relegated to a battle for the SCWC Shield.

Still reeling from their 4-2 defeat against the towering United Kingdom booters last Tuesday, the RP street kids played their hearts out anew but it proved not enough to topple the Tanzanians, who had earlier stunned superpower Brazil, 2-0.

According to team co-organizer Craig Burrows, who joined the team in South Africa, the Pinoy street kids were very much in contention most of the way as they only trailed 1-0 for most part of the game.

But in the final minute, the RP team made a serious last ditch effort to salvage a draw as even the goal keeper joined the attacking Pinoys.

The bold move, however, backfired as the Tanzanians saw wide opening at the other end, allowing them to easily score the goal that accounted for the final count.

“They (members of the team) are all crying over the loss. But then again, we still have a chance to win a trophy. Let’s just move on,” co-organizer Ed Formoso said in a text message.

With the defeat, the Philippines, alongside Brazil, which also absorbed its second defeat at the hands of the Britons, 4-0, late Wednesday, were relegated to the bottom two of Group A.

The Filipinos and the Brazilians will face the bottom two of Group B – which have yet to be determined – in the semifinals on Saturday for the SCWC Shield.

Group A topnotchers UK and Tanzania, on the hand, battle the top two in Group B also on Saturday for the semifinals of the World Cup.

The Philippines and Brazil, meanwhile, were set to face each other in a no-bearing match late Thursday at the close of the Group preliminaries.


Manila Bulletin