Perspolise is PH's representative to Neymar Jr.'s Five World Finals | ABS-CBN

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Perspolise is PH's representative to Neymar Jr.'s Five World Finals

Perspolise is PH's representative to Neymar Jr.'s Five World Finals

ABS-CBN News

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Tondo FC and Perspolise in action during the finals of the Neymar Jr.'s Five Philippine qualifier. Handout photo

MANILA, Philippines – Perspolise shocked tournament favorites Tondo FC, 4-0, in the national finals of the Neymar Jr.'s Five tournament last Saturday at the Turf BGC in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The victory propelled the unheralded squad to the world finals at the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr. in Praria Grande, Brazil, where they will represent the Philippines.

"I think we were all rooting for Tondo FC," said tournament director Anton del Rosario. "They would have made a great story."

"But I'm happy for Perspolise. I've got friends there. On the world finals, Perspolise won't play like they are on vacation. They're going to play to win," he guaranteed.

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Tondo FC won the hearts of the audience during last year's inaugural Neymar Jr.'s Five Philippine qualifiers, as they had advanced to the finals where they lost to Naxional in an intense battle.

"We played better than last year," said Tondo FC's Dennis Balbin. "We really had to prepare for this year. We worked on team defense and organization, learning that Neymar Jr.'s Five is really a team effort."

A total of 16 teams advanced to the national finals of Neymar Jr.'s Five following a series of qualifying rounds in Manila and Cebu.

Aside from Perspolise and Tondo FC, the teams that made it to the finals were: French Kiss FC, International Manila, Tenth Power, Naij FC, The Tenth Power B, Realcelona, Tala Cu Chi, Koora, Selecao, ABCDE FC, Ballers FC, National FC, Brazilipinas, and Leylam FC A.

Perspolise made their mark in Qualifier A when they scored the highly coveted top spot.

The team consists of Louis Serge Kaole, Otuyemi Emmanuel, Junior Stephen Ngong Sam, John Paul Canieso, Okoh Anthony Alechanu and team captain Hamed Hajimehdi, a member of the Iranian international football team.

"It was good," said Hajimehdi. "We brought out our best players, and we are excited to go to Brazil."

"It was a tough game, but everything worked out for us in the Finals," said Perspolise coach Mikee Carrion. "It's a great honor for us to represent the country."

"We're going to go there and have fun, but everybody has to watch out, because we're representing the Philippines," he added.

Neymar Jr.'s Five is the signature football tournament of the Brazilian forward. The tournament brings together players from all corners of the world to celebrate their shared love of football in a fast, technical, and fun competition.

Each match lasts for only 10 minutes, and there is no goalkeeper. The moment that one team scores, the opposition loses a player.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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