OFWs Carlos Miranda (left) and Willie Quinto with coach Thomas Dooley. Photo by Cedelf Tupas
PYONGYANG – The Philippine Azkals are not lacking in support from their compatriots everywhere they have played and North Korea is no exception.
Pyongyang-based OFWs Willie Quinto and Carlos Miranda did not mind shelling out 50 Euros each just to watch the Azkals face North Korea on Thursday at Kim Il-sung Stadium here.
READ: Match Preview: Philippines vs North Korea
Quinto, who has been working as a cigarette machine technician in one of the world’s most isolated countries since 1993, said he immediately jumped at the chance of scoring tickets for the match upon learning that the Azkals arrived in the city.
“It’s the first time for us to watch a national team play here,” said Quinto, who works for a firm based in Singapore. “It’s just a nice feeling to see fellow Filipinos in Pyongyang.”
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Miranda, who has been working here the past 12 years, said there will be five of them Filipinos in the stadium on Thursday.
Quinto who actually stays in the same hotel as the Azkals said he’ll bring along a small Philippine flag with him to the stadium as a sign of his support.
“They (locals) are generally peaceful so there’s really nothing to worry about with regards to the crowd,” said Quinto.
“There may be a few of us, but we’ll make sure the team feels our support.”