Soccer fans around the world are glued to their televisions to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Here in British Columbia, six young players between the ages of 10 and 12 also have their eyes locked in on the World Cup, but with a little special incentive – they too will soon be stepping on the field to play in Brazil.
On Saturday at Montreal’s Saputo Stadium, six BC Soccer Premier League players represented the Western team in Canada’s national final of the Danone Nations Cup. After going down a goal early to the Eastern team, the Western side battled back to go into extra time tied 1-1 before ultimately coming away with a 3-1 triumph.
The victory means that they will now represent Canada this year at the international final in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“On behalf of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, we’d like to congratulate these young players on a fantastic achievement,” said Bob Lenarduzzi, president of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. “They’ve represented our province exceptionally well and we look forward to seeing them represent our country equally well in Brazil.”
Winning Western Canadian team (BC players in BOLD):
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Owen Antoniuk, Calgary (Alberta)
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Gausu Dukuly, Edmonton (Alberta)
•Massud Habibullah, Vancouver (British Columbia) – Mountain United FC
•Cameron Hare, Vancouver (British Columbia) – Fusion FC
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Ivan Hirankunda, Edmonton (Alberta)
•Juvraj Kooner, Surrey (British Columbia) – Surrey United
•Reagan MacKenzie, Coquitlam (British Columbia) – Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC
•Arjun Mann, Surrey (British Columbia) – Surrey United
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Grace Moore, Calgary (Alberta)
•Damiano Pecile, Vancouver (British Columbia) – Mountain United FC
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Gianmarco Plenzik, Calgary (Alberta)
