Homeless World Cup 2010 - RP Jeepney Team wins Trophy

MANILA, Philippines – Team Jeepney Philippines posted its best finish in three years in the recently concluded Homeless World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The RP team ended its Homeless World Cup bid in 25th place out of 64 countries
It also took home the Host Cup Trophy, one of the 6 trophies at stake in the tournament, after defeating Norway 4-3 at the Copacabana Beach.

The Philippine team is composed of twins Hammid and Abdula Pasion (Laguna), brothers Mark and Lexter Maravilla (Quezon), Michael Quinlat and Tonie Mark Arinal (Talisay City), Revect Lagardo (Manila), and Leopoldo Aragon (Bacolod).
Norway scored the first goal before Leopoldo, Abdula and Toniemark scored goals to propel the Philippines to lead 3-1 at halftime.

Norway scored on a penalty but Leopoldo made a goal again.


The Homeless World Cup aims to raise awareness on the plight of the homeless and poor through football.
The event, which was held from September 19 to 26, also aims to generate change in the lives of those trapped in extreme circumstances.

The Philippines lost its opening matches to eventual champion Brazil (2-9) and Chile (0-9).
But it was able to post wins over South Korea (14-4), Argentina (5-4) and Germany (8-6).
In 2009, the RP Team finished in 29th place out of 48 countries in Milan, Italy. It was the 37th team out of 48 nations in Melbourne, Australia in 2008.

The Homeless World Cup project in the Philippines works with homeless footballers aged at least 16.
Urban Opportunities for Change, the group behind Team Jeepney Philippines, offers to establish every year a squad that represents the Filipinos who are landless and poor.

The group said in a statement that it aims to form a people’s team—“one that the masses can identify with and hope for, one whose struggles mirror their own, a team who can overcome, and by overcoming, inspire others to overcome.