Big goals for ‘Homeless’ World Cup Team Philippines

Photo by Celest Flores

MANILA—Their wills be a journey that goes beyond the sport.

For the eight players that compose the Philippines Homeless World Cup team to Paris, the chance to represent the country is just a part of the bigger, more important goal to change their lives for the better.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for them,” said coach Rudy del Rosario. “But we want to make sure their journey doesn’t end in Paris.”

The squad of Janrick Soriano, Jeffrey Guelas, Jeffrey de Castro, Bert Anthony Sienes, Michael Rojo, Aljhonn Loui Matulac, Ricardo Padilla and John Celiz will be hoping to improve on the country’s 25th place finish in the previous edition in Rio de Janeiro.

For some of them though, reaching Paris is already a victory in itself.

Matulac, 18, of Estancia, Iloilo was rescued by his football coach from a life of crime, having experienced peddling drugs when he was 15.

“I’m just happy to be able to get an opportunity to represent the country,” said Matulac in Filipino. “I’m proud to represent the Philippines and I will do my best.”

Among the eight players, its the skipper, Soriano, who has solid credentials having been part of the Negros Occidental team that won the Suzuki Cup Under-23 National Championship last May.

Del Rosario noted the positive changes on the former players of the Homeless World Cup team, a movement which started in 2004.

“Seventy percent of our players have made a change for the better,” he said at the press conference announcing the sponsorship of sports drink Gatorade to the team.

Played on a court about one fourth of the size of a regular pitch, the Homeless World Cup is a four-a-side tournament with walls on the court and del Rosario said games are fast and usually high scoring.

“They’ll make us proud,” said Del Rosario of his team. “The football aspect is just secondary. The primary purpose is to ensure a better life after Paris. We will help them with school and possible employment.”