Hosts Brazil strike golds at Homeless World Cup

The Happy Football Cambodia Australia team and head coach Jimmy Campbell pose for a photograph in Brazil. Photo Supplied

via CAAI

Tuesday, 28 September 2010 15:00 H S Manjunath

Homeless World Cup hosts Brazil proved a cut above the rest by making a clean sweep of the finals at the picturesque Copacabana Beach in Rio De Janeiro Sunday. For the Brazilian men, it ended in a blaze of glory just the way it had begun a week ago as they swamped Chile 6-0 in the final to win the coveted cup with an unbeaten record.

Chile, who had gone down 7-6 to Brazil in the opening game, lost their way in the final as the quick-footed Brazilians fired three goals on either side of the break without reply.

The Brazilian women were equally unforgiving in their final tilt against Mexico, beating their South American rivals with a measure of ease 7-3 to claim the first ever Women's Cup.

A view of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Friday during the 2010 Homeless Word Cup football match between Italy and Poland. Hosts Brazil claimed both men's and women's titles in the finals on Sunday. AFP

The most entertaining game on the final day saw last year's winners Ukraine down debutants Palestine 6-4 to grab the Dignitary Cup. Slovenia were too good for New Zealand in the final of the INSP Networking Trophy. Philippines edged out Norway 4-3 to bag the Host Cup, while Argentina beat Sweden to the Community Cup with a 7-5 victory. The City Cup went to Austria after their 5-4 thriller against Lithuania.

Team Cambodia, backed by charity organisation Happy Football Cambodia Australia, managed to beat Canada twice at different stages of the competition in the midst of their six defeats, and will be flying back richer in experience.

Head coach Jimmy Campbell said the team members had a lot of positives to take home and that a number of lessons had been learned from other players and staff on tour.

“Our boys played with a lot of heart, put in great effort but the harsh reality was that they were up against physically stronger teams who were also well experienced.” he said.