Onside 2010

Final thoughts on the SCWC

2010-03-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

It’s been an amazing week, for all kinds of reasons.

Seeing street children from different cultures and from eight nations, working together, eating together, playing together and competing together, all in a great spirit and without any unifying language, has been inspirational.

Watching a team of dozens of volunteers from several nations organising the whole thing from scratch, on a budget of not very much, shows what can be done with a vision.

Working with the media teams from across the world, all helping each other with pictures and footage (Tiger Lily Productions owes BMS a big favour!), has been great.

Sure, there have been moments that could have been better – the national anthems debacle would’ve got a producer at the Baptist Assembly shot!

And the intervention by the Durban police in twice rounding up street children while we’ve been here has been a reminder that not everyone wants to give these children hope, dignity and respect.

From a BMS perspective, the work being done by Pastor Siswe at Missionary Baptist Church in Sydenham township is wonderful. Part of the Baptist Convention of South Africa, the church has sent him and others to be volunteers at the event. They’ve cooked for the teams, travelled with them, encouraged them, consoled them, helped them when they were homesick and carried the injured players to the buses.

Siswe says that before the event, his church had no vision for street children, including those who qualify under that heading in his own township. But this has opened his eyes, he says, and he’s already organized a meeting with the organization Umthombo, who they were working with for the tournament, to see how they can begin to address the issue as a church (made up of 70 of the poorest people in Durban).

You can see and feel God at work here. Asking the South African coach if one of his tired young players would have a moment to record something to camera with the BMS film team, his answer was ‘if it’s for God, then no problem’. And in one of the most uplifting moments for us, we got precisely the same response from the coach to the UK team – thanks, Gideon!

But, most of all, listening to the street children telling their stories – of violence, rape, drugs, glue-sniffing, abandonment by family – is profoundly moving. And to find so many Christians at the heart of lifting these children out of that cycle of evil is wonderful.

I want to pay tribute too to the people of other faiths, notably the group working with the Indian team, who have been engaged in similar work, in an act of love driven by their beliefs and compassion too.

There’s a sense of hope here, a sense that it doesn’t have to be the case that young children sleep on the streets, homeless and hopeless.

This is a good start to us embracing the rights of street children as an explicit theme within BMS.

Thanks for following us through the tournament, and for your support for Team Nicaragua, which the children have warmly appreciated.

Goodbye from Durban.

Mark

The final!

2010-03-21T13:25:00.001-07:00

The Final

India 1 Tanzania 0

And so to the final match, between the speed of Tanzania (unbeaten so far) and the physicality of the big, powerful Indian team (whose only loss so far in the tournament was to BMS favourites Nicaragua).

Halfway through the first half, and huge controversy. A headed goal for India is ruled out by the referee, who indicates that the scorer had been in the goalkeeper-only area in front of the goal when he touched the ball. Still 0-0.

Moments later, and one of the Tanzanian defenders is sin-binned for a crude challenge on the Indian striker.

It’s all India, but they can’t get the final shot away, due to consistent pressure from the Tanzanian defenders, who seem always to be able to get a tackle in, just at the vital moment.

Into the second half, and with five minutes to go, India are awarded a penalty kick. They score, but the strike is chalked off by the referee for an infringment, meaning that it has to be retaken. With nerves of steel, they young Indian striker coolly slots it home, and India are ahead.

There’s panic in the Tanzanian ranks now. They’re a player down for the remainder of the match, the incident leading to the penalty having resulted in a sin-bin penalty for one of their players.

The crowd are chanting down the seconds now, and as the buzzer goes, India become the first ever Street Child World Cup champions.

They’re worthy winners on the day, and we have to hope that they’ll be back in Brazil in 2014 to defend their title.

Plate final

2010-03-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

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!!

Durban disgraced again

2010-03-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

In a serious new development, Durban police today (Saturday) again cracked down on local street children, rounding them up and taking them into custody. A ‘Sun’ reporter, filming the round-ups, was himself arrested.

All of this on the day after Durban mayor, Obed Mlaba, spoke to all the SCWC competitors and organizers at the city’s new stadium, promising his support for the event and for the rights of children in the city and beyond.

In fact, Mayor Mlaba even promised the children that he’d get along to this afternoon’s semifinals, but failed to make an appearance.

The children taking part in the event, by contrast, have shown themselves to warm, generous and participative towards each other, despite the lack of any common language (other than football) across the teams.

If only Durban’s authorities could bring themselves to show the same humanity towards their city’s poorest children.

2010-03-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Match 16 (semi final 2)

U.K. 1 India 3

The U.K.’s skilful winger is starting between the sticks once again. India have a few players of real quality including perhaps the tournaments most prolific goal scorer up front. Team U.K. also sporting quality but by far the most physical team maybe too strong for the Indian opposition.

It looks like a good game as we kick off. It’s end to end and being played at quite a pace.

India take the lead! Out of nowhere a beautiful ball is whipped into the box and nodded home by that striker. One of the U.K. midfielders picks the ball up on the halfway line and sends a stinging shot towards goal and tipped wide. The score is level as the resulting corner is fired straight at the keeper who palms into his own net.

It’s heating up, the frustration of the U.K. is beginning to show. India go 2-1 in front thanks to a volley that’s too strong for the keepers hands. The U.K. go down to six men yet again for a cynical tackle. India play a wise but frustrating game as they seek to wind down the clock and wind up the opposition.

India score once more and the fate of the U.K. is surely sealed as only 2 minutes remain on the clock.

The whistle sounds and we look forward to an India Tanzania final.

2010-03-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Match 15 Semi final

Nicaragua 0 Tanzania 3

Now it’s time for the semi finals of the main event. The team with the 100% record, Nicaragua, take on the solid all round team, Tanzania.

Fierce shots by Tanzania early on but to no avail. It’s anyone’s game as both teams are scrapping for possession. Shots from both teams are kept out of the nets by solid performances for the goalies.

Tanzania seem to just have the attacking edge and Nicaragua are hurling themselves into challenges, keeping the score at 0-0.

A fantastic goal by Tanzania early in the second half. The ball breaks on edge of box the striker beats his man and drills it in bottom corner. Tanzania look like a different team all of a sudden, full of confidence and looking very hungry in attack. It’s difficult to see where a goal might come from for the Central Americans.

A contender for goal of the tournament puts Tanzania 2-0 in front. The young African steams through and blasts into the near top corner.

Tanzania put away another 6 mins from time which makes them comfortable 3-0 winners in the end. Based on the Tanzanians second half performance they are worthy finalists indeed, full of passing vision, individual skill and team spirit.

2010-03-20T12:44:00.001-07:00

Match 14 (plate semi final 2)

South Africa 2 Brazil 1

Can Brazil go home with at least one win under their belt or will the Africans be inspired to victory by the once again deafening support?

It seems both teams are feeling relaxed and able to get the ball down and string some passes together. South Africa rattle the woodwork with a nice strike from the edge of the box moments before Brazil have a goal disallowed for an infringement in the area.

Stunning goal on the half volley from South Africa! The crowd erupts and breaks into song and dance accompanied by horns and drums. Brazil equalize straight away and now we’ve really got a game on our hands.

A lovely one two on the edge of the box creates space for the South African to finish into the roof of the net past the stunned Brazilians.

With only seconds remaining Brazil break away only to blast into the side netting.

Amazing scenes as the final whistle sounds. One would be forgiven for thinking South Africa had just won the competition! The crowd swamps the pitch yet more dancing ensues.

We’re all looking forward to the fan favourites South Africa and the Philippines fighting it out for the Street Child World Cup Plate tomorrow.

2010-03-20T12:41:00.001-07:00

Match 13 (Plate semi final 1)

Ukraine 0 Philippines 3

This should be a stroll in the park for the Philippines, maybe a chance for them to really show their stuff. As we get underway it’s clear the Philippines are resting a couple of key players and giving a chance to the rest of the squad.

The Ukraine gave everything they had and made it as difficult as possible for the Philippines to have time on the ball. It was only a matter of time however and the Philippians came out comfortable 3 – 0 winners.

The fans would love to see the team for the far east lifting some silverware tomorrow.

A day of two halves

2010-03-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

From visiting the Umthombo street child project to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, where the FIFA World Cup semifinal will be played is a bit of a culture shock. And it highlights just how much could be achieved if the major players could get their act together to help the poorest children in the world.

The stadium is fabulous, of course. The pics tell that (that's one of our team, Dan, in the players dressing room).

But the Umthombo project is much more impressive, because it's built on the raw commitment of people like Tom Hewitt, who's given 18 years of his life to it (and still going too).

For Christians who struggle to see what we can ever achieve, they need to come here.

Tomorrow, we're off to one of the poorest townships, with the pastor of the local Baptist Church, who'll be the one of the voices of our Christmas resource.

And Nicaragua play their semifinal against Tanzania - it'll be a tough match, and Team Nic will have to be at their best.

Please pray for all the children taking part - and especially for other children who, in Durban tonight, will again sleep on the street.

Mark

SCWC - Wednesday Coverage

2010-03-19T03:14:00.000-07:00

SCWC UPDATE – THURSDAY

2010-03-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

Well, it’s the end of the group stages of the Street Child World Cup – apparently now formally retitled ‘World Championships’ after a shameful copyright intervention by FIFA. You really would think they’d be better off giving the tournament their blessing, some funding (which would be loose change to the multimillionaires of football administration) and the encouragement to keep promoting grassroots football, in a way FIFA seems unable to do.

Anyway, it’s the end of phase 1, and the semifinals will see Nicaragua play Tanzania and the UK take on India. That’s a team from each of the four continents represented, which is great for the tournament.

We met up today with BMS worker Dan Pratt, who’s based in Johannesburg, and who’s brought the most wonderful team of volunteer youth workers with him to help out. We’ve had the chance to film interviews with Dan and some of the team, and they’ll make for an inspiring additional little resource from our time here.

We’ve been blessed by the cooperation we’ve received not only from Team Nicaragua, but also from Team Philippines, whose players have made filmed contributions to what will become our John Motson-hosted World Cup resources. The players are thrilled that they’ll be appearing on the same resources as players like Kaka and Marcos Senna.

In a less happy development, it’s been confirmed that the Nicaragua player Marcia (our favourite player of the tournament) has broken her foot, and will, in a Rooney-esque way, miss the finals.

The ramifications of yesterday’s round-up of street children by Durban police continues, this time with the unhappy sight of dozens of trainee riot police in full riot gear (including plastic bullet rifles and shields) training only a few yards from where the SCWC players are warming up. As they marched through the ranks of street children, it was both disturbing and worrying. Of all places, why do they need to do this at the venue being used by street children? It was very clear that they weren’t in the mood for us taking photos of them either.

But the tournament marches on. Tomorrow (Friday) is the mayoral reception for the children, along with some beach time. In fact, we watched the NGO Umthombo teaching street children to surf this morning, and some of those shots will find their way into our resources.

Still lots to do – but this is deeply inspiring work, and is giving cause for thought to all those involved.

(And a special ‘hi’ to Paul and Valerie Wichester, who are friends of BMS who are here as volunteers, and doing a splendid job!)

Mark

2010-03-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Match 12

UK 1 Tanzania 1

Is the swagger of the bullish Brits becoming too nonchalant? That maybe the only way the team with eight goals from two games will be caught out. Arguably the best two teams of the tournament line up before us and perhaps we’re about to witness a preview of Sunday’s final.

The teams evenly matched as we begin, Tanzania certainly looking the more hungry and the UK look to have a solid defense. There’s no question that the UK are the most physical team here and clearly too brutal for the South African referee who sends a British defender to the sinbin for constant fouling.

A man down but a goal in front! A long ball is lifted over the keeper who’s caught in no man’s land, left exposed by his defense. The UK are defending well, possession is balanced and their goalie is untroubled by the Tanzanian shooting.

An arm flailed in frustration earns another sinbin for UK. This game is really hotting up.

A change of goalkeeper for team UK and it’s a change Tanzania are happy to see. The youngster is tested straight away with a great shot just under the bar. No reaction from the keeper. It’s one all.

It’s tense and boisterous atmosphere. It seems apparent – both teams having secured qualification – that there is no such thing as a meaningless game.

The teams end too well matched to separate as we see the first draw of the tournament.

2010-03-18T12:10:00.001-07:00

Match 11

Brazil 2 Philippines 6

Neither team have earned any points and Brazil are yet to make it on the score sheet. Both have failed to qualify from the group containing the U.K. and Tanzania. It’s going to be an interesting contest all the same with the Philippines still eager to turn flair into results.

Philippines have a slow start with Brazil looking the better side but first blood goes to the Philippines. A shot from distance with the aid of a deflection trundles past the keeper. A long ball won in the air by the shortest man on the pitch is flicked on and stabbed home to put the Philippines two in front.

Slick play from the Philippines finished emphatically into the top corner. Brazil’s early dominance has been long forgotten. Moments later another bullet strike from the Philippines makes it 4 – 0.

Brazil pick up their first goal of the tournament as a result of a headed own goal by the Filipino defender.

The game ends 6 – 2 with a Brazilian name finally going on the score sheet and the Philippines looking good to clinch the Winners Plate, the trophy sought after by those who fail to qualify for the semifinals proper.

2010-03-18T12:07:00.001-07:00

Match 10

Ukraine 0 India 8

We’re welcomed to the arena today by a chorus of numerous drummers from Unthombo, gathering dancers as they gather momentum.

India have already sealed their place in the next round so this one looks like a training game and no doubt a confidence booster for the Asian team.

India are looking up for it and stroll to a two goal lead early on. A third soon follows. An attempted clearance from the Ukrainian goalkeeper rebounds off his own defender and into his net.

India are strolling through this game and looking very dangerous with the amount of time Ukraine are giving them on the ball. The Ukrainians have lost whatever confidence they had and look they just to hear the final whistle.

The stream of goals from the Indian attack is almost as constant as the beat of the drums. They come away with an 8 – 0 victory to strike fear into the group A winners whom India will face in the semi final on Saturday.

POLICE CRACKDOWN AT THE STREET CHILD WORLD CUP

2010-03-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

In a disturbing development, Durban police today rounded up a number of South African street children and took them into custody. The group included some children who were volunteers at the SCWC event, through the South African NGO, Umthombo.

Director of Umthombo, Tom Hewitt, described the police action as 'disgusting', and spent much of the afternoon negotiating the release of the children.

Please pray for the children concerned, and for the wider group of children from eight nations at the SCWC, that the police action would not remove the wonderful air of joy that's been the hallmark of the tournament.

Mark Craig

2010-03-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Match 9

Nicaragua 3 South Africa 0

We’ve not even kicked off yet and already the horns and drums are deafening from the huge African support.

Neither team seems able to break the other down in the first period of the match. The ball is spending much of its time in air but with plenty of deft chest control and headers it’s quite an impressive spectacle.

The first goal comes from the Central Americans. A crisp ball put in from the right wing is too much to deal with for the SA keeper who fumbles it into the path of the fortuitous Nicaraguan striker.

Clearly the team is more important than the individual as one of the South African girls squanders a chance in front of goal to an uproar from the crowd as they unanimously display gestures for her to be substituted. All in good fun, of course.

Nicaragua go down to six players after a reckless challenge from the sturdy midfielder. Unfazed they press on and grab anther two brilliant goals. One lifted delicately over the advancing keeper and another great strike comes off the underside of the bar and rebounds in off the goalie.

Three games played for Nicaragua and three games won – they’re through to Saturday’s semifinal!

2010-03-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Match 8

UK 4 Brazil 0

The UK are the team with the swagger as both team head out for the 8th match of the tournament. Brazil are yet to get on the score sheet and if they lose here, they hand a qualification to the UK and Tanzania.

The ball-greedy winger who scored two wonder goals against the Philippines starts in goal. Lets hope they don’t suffer from the rotation system.

The UK are giving themselves time and space by winning the midfield battles. By far the Brits are the stronger of the teams. A close range header is nodded in by the unmarked striker to put the UK 1-0 up. An excellent goal from the English midfielder. Hit from distance and drilled in the far bottom corner.

The UK goalkeeper/winger comes outfield as the second half begins and team GB rest on a 3-0 lead. As he gets on the ball now we see the step-overs and pirouettes we we’re expecting from Brazil. A nutmeg and a slick pass sets up a fourth for the U.K.

The UK sail through. Now they face Tanzania to compete for top seed spot - a fixture that could well end up being repeated in the final.

2010-03-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

Match 7

Tanzania 2 Philippines 0

One for the football puritans as the deft touch and tricky skills of the Philippines takes on the athletic and slick passing Tanzanians.

Probably the most equally matched teams we’ve seen so far. Neither are the biggest or strongest teams but both have apparent quality right throughout their squad.

As the teams burst into action it’s end to end stuff with chance after chance early on. The Filipinos put their skills on display, dancing pass the opposition when they get the chance. Their play is epitomised by an audacious overhead kick on the edge of the box by the charismatic number 8. The attempt sails just over the crossbar – lovely technique but no end result.

The passing play of Tanzania is rewarded with the first goal 10mins into the game. The enthusiastic Africans are almost caught on the counter attack as the Philippines kick off before most of them have returned to the pitch from celebrating the goal.

The Philippines goal keeper feeling the desperation, seconds from the end, heads up to join his attack for a corner. Tanzania break quickly and pass the ball into the unattended net.

If the UK pick up any points in the next match we’ll be saying goodbye to fan favourites the Philippines.

SCWC Tuesday Coverage

2010-03-17T06:55:00.001-07:00

2010-03-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Match 6

India 0 Nicaragua 1

Nicaragua take to the field in their change strip of blue, India having won the toss to keep their white shirts.

A first half that’s end to end reaches a controversial moment when India are awarded a penalty kick with seven minutes to go. The Nicaragua goalkeeper (who isn’t the heroic Marcia from yesterday) dives the wrong way, but somehow keeps the ball out with his foot. There’s more controversy moments later when the Indian penalty-taker scythes a Nicaraguan player down, before taking an outrageous dive. This doesn’t fool the referee and he’s sin=binned. India are one player down for the rest of the half. Less than a minute to go, and Nicaragua hit the bar with a header.

Into the second half, and with 10 minutes to go, Nicaragua take the lead with a simple corner that’s chipped over and headed into the net. From the kickoff, the Indian team catches the Nicaraguans napping, but somehow manage to miss side-footing the ball into an empty net.

Less than a minute to go, and it’s all Indian. Nicaragua are hanging on grimly with a series of brave tackles. They manage to see out the clock, and emerge worthy winners.

The semifinal beckons...

2010-03-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

Match 5

South Africa 4 Ukraine 1

This is the first time we’ve seen any of the teams for a second time. The hosts were beaten 4-0 by India yesterday, with Ukraine losing 8-2 to Nicaragua.

There’s mayhem in the arena as the match kicks off, with the crowd noisily cheering for the South Africans.

But it’s Ukraine who score first, against the run of play, before South Africa score two in quick succession to lead 2-1 with eight minutes of the first half left to play. When a third goal for South Africa hits the back of the net, there’s uproar in the crowd, with the referee’s whistle completely inaudible. From there the drummers take over, with pounding rhythms cheering on the young South Africans.

Six minutes to go and after a good save from the Ukraine keeper, the ball’s smashed into the roof of the net. 4-1 to the hosts, and they’re back in the hunt for a semifinal place.

2010-03-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Match 4

Brazil 0 Tanzania 2

After a disappointing first half, enlived only by a sin-binning for one of the Brazilians (for repeated fouling) and a last-minute rasping shot from Tanzania the teams are still goalless.

The start of the second half, and Tanzania strike with a fierce shot from 20 yards, and with only five minutes to go, they have another as the ball’s bundled into the net.

There’s no way back for Brazil, now a player down again, after a second sin-binning.

Tanzania look like they might be favourites to progress from the group.

SCWC Monday Footage

2010-03-16T06:17:00.001-07:00

2010-03-15T11:12:00.001-07:00

Match 3

Nicaragua 8 Ukraine 2

A shock in the Durban arena as Nicaragua become the first team to field a female goalkeeper – but what a shot-stopper Marcia is! She’s diving at the feet of oncoming players and generally getting in the way of everything that’s heading her way.

While she’s busy being a hero at the back, her colleagues have established a two-goal lead over Ukraine. And it was in the fifth minute of the game that the first-ever goal scored by a player wearing a BMS logo on their shirt was hammered home by Nicaragua.

Just before half time, a long shot from Ukraine takes a deflection and our goalkeeping heroine is beaten for the first time. 2 – 1 at half time.

The second half is only moments old when another deflection results in a goal, this time at the other end, and Nicaragua are 3 – 1 up.

Nicaragua nick another before Ukraine have a second goal controversially ruled out for an infringement only the referee saw. That’s made up for by a punt from their own half which somehow slides past Marcia in the Nicaragua goal.

The match ends 8– 2 to Nicaragua (with one coming from the tournament’s first penalty kick), but both these teams might struggle later in the week against better opposition.

2010-03-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Match 2

UK 4 Philippines 2

It was a Manchester United v Arsenal kind of contest this one. Powerful, direct play from the UK team, up against the silky skills and precision of the much smaller Philippines team.

No score at half time, after an exciting first half, which saw the majority of chances go the Philippines. Their efforts were all the more notable for them having by far the best female player in the tournament so far. And the crowd had decided that they were on the side of the Philippines, as the team’s every move was cheered to the rafters in the packed Durban University arena.

In the second half, the strength of the UK team began to tell as the Asian team tired. A string of chances saw them score four goals, before one of their players was sin binned for a pitch-length celebratory run with his shirt off.

And in the last minute, justice was done as the Philippines scored twice, including the tournaments, first goal by a female player – and a header at that.

An excellent game, with both these teams looking good to progress further from the pool section of the tournament.

2010-03-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

Monday - Match 1

South Africa 0 India 4

It’s the end of the opening match, and India have emerged worthy winners by 4 – 0, after the forty-minute seven a side match, in which the team must include one female player at all times.

It was a red-blooded affair, with Norman Hunter-esque tackles seeing three players sent to the sinbin by the referee (all of whom are from the South African Premier League) for a five minute penalty.

A decent game by the South African goalkeeper kept the score down, but the skillful white-shirted Indian team were just too powerful for the South Africans.

A poor start for the hosts, but a welcome three points for one of the new powerhouses of street child football.

Next up this afternoon – the UK against the Philippines, and the team from Project 13 in Manchester look the part in suitably red tops. The Philippines players look tiny in comparison, but maybe deft skills on the ground will win the day for them.

2010-03-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

We’re here! More or less intact too – after a panicked search for our four filming cases in Johannesburg airport, we found them just sitting on a trolley, having been dumped there by the ‘outsize baggage’ department. Oh, and the baggage handlers nicked our sunglasses from our cases – nothing else, just the sunglasses…weird.

The opening ceremony was terrific – led by the South Africa team (to thunderous applause, of course), followed by everyone’s second favourites in football, Brazil. Unless you’re Brazilian.

Then Team Nicaragua, resplendent in their white strips emblazoned with the BMS logo (that was as much a surprise to us as to anyone else)! Teams from the Philippines, Tanzania, India, Ukraine and the UK made up the rest of the procession, filling the soccer hall in Durban University with colour, high hopes and national pride.

It’s noticeable that the Brazilians walk like winners – they have a swagger to their warm-up that’s frankly a little frightening.

Anyway, let the games begin!

Mark (our man now in Durban)

Hi from Mark

2010-03-12T03:21:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone

Well, we're busy packing all the filming kit that's coming with us to SA on Sunday. We arrive in Durban (BA lunacy permitting) on Monday, in good time for us to film the opening match, which is the hosts South Africa playing our very own Team Nicaragua. I'll post the results of Monday's games at teatime Monday (SA is only one hour ahead of the UK).

If you've not yet explored the four player profiles we're featuring from Team Nicaragua, they're at:

http://www.bmsworldmission.org/432347

Thanks for all your support - this is a brilliant initiative, and we're glad to have you with us on it.

You'll all be able to use the footage from the tournament, as it'll form part of our Onside 2010 resource for the FIFA World Cup. That'll be hosted by John Motson, and also features interviews with some of the world's leading players who are Christians - including Kaka from Brazil.

More from Durban on Monday - feel free to tweet or post a response (and a big hi to Simon, who was our first respondent!)

If you'd like to make a financial contribution to Team Nicaragua, please visit:

http://www.bmsworldmission.org/scwc

Mark (our man not yet in Durban!)

It's kicking off

2010-03-11T02:32:00.000-08:00

The Street Child World Cup kicks off in South Africa next Monday – and BMS World Mission is following Team Nicaragua.

A filming team from BMS will be there to capture the action on and off the pitch, gather interviews and see how the event will begin to impact street children across the world in a positive way.

There will be regular posts from our man in Durban, Mark Craig, throughout the tournament. Do come back to read about what’s going on and use the ‘comment’ link to feed back your thoughts – we’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for your support.