Street Child World Cup: Pakistan edge Philippines to go through to semi-finals

[Devil Soul]

Street Child World Cup: Pakistan edge Philippines to go through to semi-finals
By Web Desk
Published: April 4, 2014

The boys will face the US in the semi-finals on Saturday.

RIO DE JANEIRO: Pakistan edged Philippines on penalties to win the quarter-finals of the Street Child World Cup (SCWC) on Friday and are now through to the semi-finals.
StreetChildWorldCup @SCWC2014
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FINAL SCORE: Pakistan 3:2 Philippines on penalties after going to extra time when they drew 1:1. Pakistan go through to semi finals!

6:32 PM - 4 Apr 2014



After full time and extra time, the sides were locked 1-1, forcing the game to go to penalties. Pakistani boys stepped up to spot and converted three of their kicks. Philippines could only score two of their penalties.

The Pakistani team have been dominating the SCWC. Previously, they beat Kenya 2-0 in their second match of the tournament.

Azad Foundation official Ali Bilgrami, who is currently with the team in Brazil, said that the players have gained confidence with their second win in the tournament.

“In our match against Kenya, the opponents kept blocking and manhandling Abdul Raziq who scored eight goals for us in the previous match,” Bilgrami told The Express Tribune.

“But our players are very fast and Aurangzeb scored brilliant goals for the team. Our players are more confident now, and I hope this tournament and experience in Brazil will remain with them for the rest of their lives.”

The SCWC is featuring 20 teams. The event aims to provide an identity to street children all over the world.

On Friday evening, Twitter was ablaze with many supporters and fans taking to the social media site to show their support.

Pakistan will go head-to-head with the US in the semi-finals on Saturday, April 5.

Pakistan reach SCWC semi-finals after defeating Philippines
DAWN.COM

Pakistan progress to the semi-finals of the SCWC after defeating the Philippines. -AFP/File Photo
Updated 2014-04-04 23:37:55
RIO DE JANEIRO: The Pakistan Street Child football team on Friday reached the semi-finals of the Street Child World Cup (SCWC) after defeating Philippines on penalties.

The game was forced into a penalty shootout after full-time and extra-time failed to break the 1-1 deadlock between the two teams.

The Pakistani side eventually emerged victorious after scoring three penalties as opposed to the two the Philippines managed to score.

The Pakistani team have been very successful in the SCWC tournament which is being held in Brazil.

Previously they had defeated Kenya 2-0 in their second match of the tournament.

The SCWC brings together some of the most disadvantaged youths from 19 countries for 10 days of football, art, sightseeing and workshops.

The Pakistan team was sent to the World Cup by Azad Foundation, British Council and Unicef.

The Amos Trust, a British non-profit organisation, convinced football's governing body FIFA to initiate the Street Child World Cup in 2010.

The first edition was held in South Africa ahead of the 2010 World Cup and featured Brazil, South Africa, Nicaragua, Ukraine, India, the Philippines, Tanzania and a team from England.

 

[Devil Soul]

 

[Saifullah Sani]

Pakistan the new ‘favourites’ in Brazil

Pakistan emerged as the new favourites in the 2014 Street Child World Cup as they reached the semi-finals after defeating the Philippines 3-2 on penalty kicks in Maracana.
The team remains unbeaten in the seven-a-side tournament so far. According to Azad Foundation official Itfan Maqbool, who is with the team in Rio de Janeiro, the players showed graced during the quarter-final and played bravely against their opponents.
Pakistan’s Mushtaq Mehr scored the equaliser in the match to tie it 1-1 at full-time, while an outstanding performance by captain and goal-keeper Sameer Ahmed, during the penalty shootout, won the match for Pakistan.
He blocked penalties from Philippines while scoring one for his own team, as key strikers Abdul Raziq and Aurangzeb Baba also successfully put the ball in the net.
“Our players cried and fell to the ground to thank God,” Maqbool told The Express Tribune. “The match was nerve-wracking. These players just became the first Pakistanis to play in Brazil and progress to the semi-finals on their debut.”
Maqbool added that the team had exceeded everyone’s expectations.
“We had never expected this performance from them, but our team just proved its worth by winning yet another match,” said Maqbool. “Coming back into the game after conceding a goal and then winning it on penalty kicks was a surreal experience. The players took a while to acknowledge the proud moment before taking the victory round.”
Pakistan have had a glorious run in the tournament — they cruised into the quarter-finals after topping Group Three, which also featured the US, India, Kenya and Mauritius.
“These children have made history and showed that Pakistan has talent in football by progressing to this stage. Even hosts Brazil lost their match to the US 6-2.”
The official added that people from other countries were supporting the team as well.
“Pakistan are the new favourites now,” he said.
Pakistan the new ‘favourites’ in Brazil – The Express Tribune

 

[American Pakistani]

Good job.

Pakistan should focus on football/soccer. Should have international team like cricket & hockey.

 

[Leader]

Good job.

Pakistan should focus on football/soccer. Should have international team like cricket & hockey.

I am sure the team is from Lyari mainly. those boys are so talented that they just need training and experience to get in the international level...

rock on boys !

 

[American Pakistani]

I am sure the team is from Lyari mainly. those boys are so talented that they just need training and experience to get in the international level...

rock on boys !

Yes those guys in pics look like Liyarities. I' am sure Pakistan can come up with a good strong team from Liyari & Makran region.

 

[Devil Soul]

Well Pakistan lost to Brundi 4:3....

 

[Leader]

Yes those guys in pics look like Liyarities. I' am sure Pakistan can come up with a good strong team from Liyari & Makran region.

yup, and boxing and other sports as well... lakin yahan kisay parwa hai...

Well Pakistan lost to Brundi 4:3....

what?? we were winning 3-1 in first half

oh well... still we are proud of you guys.... you made it till there out of nowhere... you are our heroes !!

 

[Leader]

champs !

 

[Devil Soul]

yup, and boxing and other sports as well... lakin yahan kisay parwa hai...



what?? we were winning 3-1 in first half

oh well... still we are proud of you guys.... you made it till there out of nowhere... you are our heroes !!

Street Child World Cup: Pakistan lose to Burundi in semi-final – The Express Tribune

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

I am sure the team is from Lyari mainly. those boys are so talented that they just need training and experience to get in the international level...

rock on boys !

Lyari has a lot of potential boxers,footballers etc ..

 

[Basel]

Those teenagers have made nation proud they have showed that even on streets we have so much talent just forgot the ones who live in houses. They have shown the world that Pakistan have world class talent of football at grass root level now govt must look into it and make this game what its needs to be in the nation.

 

[Jaanbaz]

The baloch youth from liyari has a lot of talent in football and boxing. Its sad that Pakistani authorities have always ignored these people.
The baloch of liyari are mostly Africans mixed with Balochi people. Perhaps that is why they face discrimination and are denied basic rights.

 

[American Pakistani]

champs !

Are they Pakistani Shedis(Blacks)? Would love to see Pakistan international team coming out of them. I really wish it happens.

 

[Skies]

The baloch of liyari are mostly Africans mixed with Balochi people. Perhaps that is why they face discrimination and are denied basic rights.

Africans? How?