Tondo FC members with Norway ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster. –MELO FUERTES/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The Ambassador of Norway for the Philippines donated football kits to a local team before the two countries clashed in the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
During Coca-Cola’s watch party at Glorietta mall in Makati for the much-anticipated match between the Norwegians and Filipinas, Norway ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster donated kits to Tondo FC, a local football club that cultivates young talents on the football field.
The donation was a part of the celebration of the Philippines’ and Norway’s bilateral relations.
“Us, Norway and Philippines, this year we’re celebrating 75 years of bilateral relations and we are supporting this event today as part of our year long celebration,” said Halaas Lyster.
“Tondo FC’s vision is to help ‘futkaeleros’ and ‘futkaleras’ who aspire to play the beautiful game. Most of the players from Tondo, one of the most impoverished areas in Manila, become varsity players, university scholars and maybe even national team players.”
The Norwegians came out as the victors of Sunday’s (Manila time) match against the Philippines with a dominant 6-0 victory to move on to the Women’s World Cup’s next round.
Sophie Roman Haug registered a hat trick with goals at the sixth, 17th and 95th minute of the match.
The Filipinas, however, will not return home empty-handed as they have the win against home bet New Zealand to show for their maiden Fifa Women’s World Cup run.