The Philippine Online Chronicles

The first such conference from March 20 to 26 in Durban, the SC World Cup aims to “bring together street children from nine different countries to play football, to discuss the issues that are important to them, and to launch an international campaign to make a difference on these issues, building a better future for hundreds of thousands of street children throughout the world,” according to its official website.

Led by team coach Jess Landagan, the Philippine team worked like a "well-oiled machine," surging to a 4-1 halftime lead before scoring two more goals in the next period in wrapping up the monumental win, reported ABS-CBN.

According to co-manager Ed Formoso, “We prayed for a breakthrough for the RP ‘Miracle Team,’ and it was answered in a big way with this win over the Brazilians,” Agence France Presse reported. The team finished the Group B preliminaries with a 1-2 win-loss slate.

Bayanihan Dance Troupe member Marielle Benitez quipped, “It seems that Tinikling footwork beat Samba footwork.” Benitez earlier gave the RP members lessons in the popular folk dance that requires nimble feet between two bamboo poles as part of the team’s off-pitch extracurricular activities.

The Philippines will play against Ukraine today and the winner will play against the victor of the other Shield semifinals between host South Africa and Brazil for the Shield Cup.

“This team is blessed to have generous benefactor in the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust. Without their help, we could not even conceive this trip from pushing through,” said co-manager Craig Burrows in a Journal report.

Among those endorsing the SC World Cup are AC Milan star player David Beckham, Archibishop Desmond Tutu and actress Thandie Newton. Beckham said, "I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support."