PHL booters off to HWC Paris today

MEMBERS of the Philippine Team will be flying today to Paris, France to compete in the 2011 Homeless World Cup scheduled August 21-28, 2011.


The squad is mentored by national team head coach Rudy 'Aburudz' del Rosario and will be anchored by Negrense skipper Janrick Soriano together with feloow Talisaynon Michael Rojo, Bert Anthony Sienes (Manila Boystown), Aljhonn Loui Matulac (Estancia, Iloilo) John Celiz (Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo), Jeffrey Guelas (Leveriza, Manila), Jeffrey de Castro (Cainta, Rizal) and Ricardo Padilla (Lingayen, Pangasinan).


Del Rosario told Sun.Star-Bacolod on Tuesday that despite lack of financial support, the squad is committed to don the national color and bring honor to the country. “We are highly prepared to take the challenge against the world's best,” he said.


Meanwhile, 22-year-old skipper Soriano and teammate 26-year-old Rojo appealed to the Filipino people to pray for them as they carry the country’s pride in this prestigious event. “We ask our fellow Filipino to help us pray that we may able to win the World Cup title. We will try our best to win this tournament,” Soriano added.

Likewise, the team is also looking forward to gain another rank higher from its last year's HWC 25th over-all finish in Rio de Janero, Brazil.

“Last year we won the Host Cup trophy after we beat Norway, 4-3. Iba ang feeling pag-tinutugtog ang ating pambansang awit, lalo na at nasa ibang bansa ka,” del Rosario added.


Del Rosario also explained that more than being in the team and represent the country in HWC are the opportunities that await this young booters.


"The primary priority of HWC is to provide opportunities to these poor players. Thus, helping them doesn't end in playing in HWC but will continue until they get education and jobs like coaching," the mentor stressed. Former national team members have made positive changes in their lives such as continuing their education or obtaining steady employment as an assistant football coach in schools, said del Rosario. (Jerome S. Galunan Jr.)


Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on August 19, 2011.