Plate final

Plate Final - Sunday

South Africa 1 Philippines 1

The final of the plate competition (for the four teams who didn’t make the main semifinals) kicks off in the midst of furious drumming from the crowds of African supporters.

We’re only six minutes in when underdogs South Africa take the lead with a shot that only just makes it across the goal line. Five minutes later and it’s one all, as the Philippines craft a great move from halfway, ending with a blazing shot from just outside the area that leaves the SA goalkeeper with nothing else to do but pick the ball out of the net.

Half time and the scores are level after an end-to-end first session.

Ten minutes to go, and we’re still level in a pulsating game – this final might just go to penalty kicks. As the match nears an end, both teams are playing cautiously, with most players staying behind the ball, and long punts forward being the only attacking weapon in use. The referee blows for full time with the teams locked at 1-1, and we’re into extra time of five minutes each way. If the teams spend it playing like they did in the second half, we’ll be in a penalty shoot-out in ten minutes!

But only seconds before the end of the first period of extra time, the Philippines take the lead with a stunning header from a corner. The pressure’s really on the South Africa team now… and their hundreds of fans in the arena are growing restless.

But their efforts are not enough – the referee blows for full time, and the Philippines have claimed the Plate Trophy at the Street Child World Cup 2010.

And in doing so, they’ve cleared the way for them to have a homecoming parade in the capital city, led by the world’s greatest boxer, Manny Pacquiao, who’d promised to do so if they brought home any silverware.

Well done Team Philippines!!