By Macel Ingles
The Filipino community in Norway cannot be any prouder of this year´s Philippine teams who competed in this year´s Norway Cup, one of the world´s largest youth football tournament.
Proudly waving the Filipino flag at the parade as part of the Opening Ceremonies in the Norway Cup. Photo courtesy of Joseph Jerome Francia.
The Leyte Association Football Club fielded three teams to represent the Philippines in this year´s Norway Cup that includes 20 girls under the U16 team and 18 boys each for the U16 and U19 teams.
All three teams finished third and got bronze in all their groups.
Meeting new friends on the football grounds after the game is one of reasons for taking part in the Norway Cup. Photo courtesy of Joseph Jerome Francia.
Oslo resident, Joy Fresnedi, and mom to a footballer playing for a Norwegian team came to the Ekeberg grounds to watch the Pinoy teams play and was impressed with their performances.
“I think it is really nice na we have really good players na nailalaban sa ibang bansa at may chance sila na sumali sa Cup. Kasi di naman talaga football ang laro natin. Nakaka-proud manood na kahit di number 1 sport sa Pinas eh may kakayanan tayong lumaban,” she proudly enthused.
After watching the girls team U16 at play, Fresnedi praised their performance as they faced bigger and experienced Norwegian players.
“They are technically good, they are fast. At maganda ang forsvar (defense) nila. Minsan kulang lang sila sa tinatawag na avlslutning (follow through), may magagandang inlegg (assist), sayang at walang nakaabang, (Their defense is good, At times,they lack follow through and some assists go to waste as there is no one to receive them.)” she explained.
“Offensive sila. Kahit maliliit sila physically than sa mga kalaban. Mas masisipag sila. Ang kalaban halos di na makatakbo eh, (They are on the offensive. Even if they are physically smaller than their opponents, they are hardworking. Their opponents can almost not run),” she added.
U19 boys team of the Leyte Association Football Club getting ready to face other teams at the Ekeberg grounds at this year's Norway Cup in Oslo, Norway. Photo courtesy of Joseph Jerome Francia.
A Norwegian referee, Eivind Scheie approached the U16 girls team to commend them for their grit.
“Your technique is good, you have good tactical maneuvers but you do not last, you get tired,” he told the players.
That the team cannot outlast and follow through in the game is what he said made them lose out to their Norwegian opponents.
Another supporter, Ofelia Espajo Palao who came all the way from Egersund in Western Norway, also gave high praises for the teams.
She travelled to Oslo for hours on the train just to watch the teams play and joined other Filipinos who also came from Ålesund and Stavanger to cheer the Filipino teams.
“Maliliksi ang mga boys natin (sa U16) at masisikap, (Our boys are quick and diligent),“ Palao observed. She also said that they are strong players and played good defense.
Community support
Both Fresnedi and Palao believe these teams need more support from the local community in Norway if they decide to send a delegation to next year´s Cup.
“We might have to ask our kababayans here to help for next year´s cup. Kasi sila sila ang nagfinance para sa mga bata sa mga scholars ng group nila na Leyte Association FC,” Palao noted.
Fresnedi also called on Filipino organizations to help out.
“Lahat ng organization or mag-usap tayo kanya kanyang food para makakain (ang delegation) ng rice at Pinoy food. (All organizations should have a meeting and bring food so that the delegation can eat rice and Pinoy food),”she suggested.
U19 team player, Benjamin Luis Francia admitted that their teams can use some help. He clarified that the club has been doing its part in supporting the teams.
“Ang simpleng pagkakaroon ng bukas na linya ng konsultasyon ng mga team at mga sports commissiions/LGUs ay malaking tulong na para sa mga pangangailangan ng mga teams,” he added.
U16 girls team of the Leyte Association FC made it to the semifinals and finished 4th place overall in their category. Photo courtesy of Joseph Jerome Francia.
Winning is not everything
The U16 and U19 boys made it to playoffs but failed to advance to the semifinals.
The U16 girls made it to the semifinals but lost to Alta IL 2-1 and failed to advance to the finals. They finished 4th overall in its category.
Photo courtesy of Joseph Jerome Francia.
For U19 team player, Benjamin Luis Francia, winning is not everything.
“Para sa amin, manalo man o matalo, magandang experience ang pagsali sa mga tournament na ito dahil nakikita namin kung ano ang level of play ng Filipino football kumpara sa ibang bansa sa Europe. Maganda rin para sa amin na marami kaming makikilalang manlalaro mula sa iba´t ibang bansa na maaring maging kaibigan namin,” Francia pointed out.
The 56-member delegation of the Leyte Association Football Club led by Club President Harvey German and Head Coach/Technical Director JP Merida arrived in Oslo last July 24 to take part in tournament from July 27-August 3 in Norway´s capital city.
Leyte Association FC delegation poses infront of the Oslo City Hall after a meeting with the mayor. Photo courtesy of Joseph Jerome Francia.
According to the Leyte Association FC, participating in the Norway Cup is part of the association´s `commitment to its grassroots training for the Filipino youth.
The Norway Cup began in 1972 and is one of the world´s biggest youth football tournament and for this year, a total of 2133 teams participated with 24,266 players from 24 countries.
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