Photo from Team Philippines Street Child World Cup Facebook page
Team Philippines has nothing to be ashamed of despite falling short of winning a medal in the girls’ division of the 2018 Street Child World Cup held in Moscow, Russia.
The Philippines just missed a podium finish after bowing to England, 2-0, in the third-place playoff.
But while the team did not get its desired result, the effort shown by the players was enough reason for coach Ronalyn Lagata to be proud of.
“Our girls really put a great effort in the battle for third,” Lagata said in a video posted on the team’s Facebook page.
“They enjoyed playing. Of course, they’re sad because they lost but everyone who saw them play were impressed and proud of them.”
The young Filipinos didn’t have the height but they cut their opponents down to size to make the semifinals.
They dominated India, 6-0, before drawing England, 1-1, in the group stage before edging Mauritius, 1-0, in the quarterfinals and bowing to eventual champion Brazil, 1-0, in the semis.
“They always compare their height against the other teams but they were able to prove that it doesn’t matter how small you are in playing football.”