Team PH hopes to reach Norway Cup finals

by Macel Ingles, ABS-CBN Europe



NORWAY – Team Philippines remains optimistic they will make it to the finals of the ongoing Norway Cup in Oslo.

Entering Day 3 of the football tournament, the team’s 2 groups competing in Class F for boys (13-14 years old) and Class E for boys (15-16 years old) are struggling to win more games .

The boys in Class F have sustained 3 disappointing losses, while the boys in Class E have 1 loss.

The Philippine team in Class F lost 0-4 to Sandane Turn and IL, 1-4 to Bradbu IF, and 0-2 to Rollag/Veggli.

The team, however, is holding its ground in Class E. They won an exciting game against Gjerdsvik/Gursken/Larsnes, 4-2, before conceding to Loen IL, 1-2.

In today's game, the team managed to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Seth Esay, the team captain for Class E, told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau they have a chance to win in the Cup.

"Dito sa Norway Cup, sa tingin ko kaya naming mag-champion dito," Isay said. "Malaki ang chances namin sa Norway Cup dahil pinaghandaan namin ito ng matagal. Six months kami nag-training as a team."

Matthew Osip, team captain for Class F, is also confident of a good showing in the Cup, and revealed that his team is working hard at this.

"Gagawin namin ang lahat ng makakaya namin para makapasok sa finals," he said.

Team Philippines coach Potenciano Flores Jr also said that what his boys lack in height, they make up for in stamina and speed.

He said that this was pointed out by a German coach in the tournament.

"Kahit papaano, sumasabay kami sa skills," Flores said.

But he added that they need to train and play longer, as other teams have been playing football for 2-3 years before the tournament.

He revealed that he was only able to form his team and train them for 6 months before participating in the Norway Cup games.

Flores has been coaching the Filipino football team for the Norway Cup for 4 years now. He workd as a trainer for the PAREF Southridge School and formed the Team Philippines boys’ teams from players of La Salle, Colegio San Agustin, and Perpetual Help System-Laguna.

He said Filipino football players are holding their own in the tournament, and it won't be long before they can be among the best in the game.

Flores is urging Filipinos and the government to support the development of football in the country.

He said that the private sector should sponsor football teams, and Philippine agencies on sports and education should give a share of funding to football teams like Team Philippines.

"Sana po ang ating gobyerno, bigyan ng pansin ang sport ng football," Flores said

ABS CBN News