Scott Ramanui in action at the INAS-FID World Football Cup in Germany last month.By Rebecca Fraser
A TEAM of disabled soccer players has returned home after capturing the hearts of their hosts at their very own World Cup in Germany.
The Australian team, headed by Endeavour Hills soccer enthusiast Carlos Loyola, failed to qualify for the finals at the INAS-FID World Football Cup in September but proved a huge hit with local crowds who treated the Aussie tourists like stars.
Mr Loyola, who also coaches the Doveton Special Soccer School, said his players would never forget the experience.
They took to the field in front of crowds of thousands and their matches were also captured on live television.
The team’s skills and passion for the game also attracted the attention of the German press.
Mr Loyola said players also handed out countless autographs to spectators and fans, even throwing their socks, shorts and soccer tops out into the crowd.
Players from Hampton Park, Narre Warren and Pakenham wore the green and gold and represented Australia at the international sporting event.
Mr Loyola said the event had been the trip of a lifetime for his players.
The News first spoke to Mr Loyola in June when it looked unlikely that the players would go to Germany as they struggled to attract the $125,000 needed to make the trip possible.
Westfield Fountain Gate threw three local boys a lifeline in August, donating a total of $9000 to the trip.
Mr Loyola said the team and many local players had now set their sights on qualifying for the Global Games in Japan and the next INAS FID Cup in 2010.
He said he hoped the team would not face the same difficulties when it came to attracting support and sponsorship.
Mr Loyola said the team played grand finalists Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, Poland, Japan, Mexico and Bosnia during the World Cup.
The Australian team jumped one place in the world rankings following the event and is now ranked 14th.
“The Germans called the boys the champions of their hearts,” Mr Loyola said.
“Just to be there was such an emotional thing.
“At the opening ceremony we were the first to go out into the stadium in front of a crowd of 22,000 people.
“We heard a big noise and tremendous cheers. Some of my boys cried; it was very emotional. Some might never get the chance to play in front of that many people again.”
The team spent more than three weeks in Germany. Between their vigorous training sessions, they visited the remnants of the historic Berlin Wall, Jewish concentration camps and Holland.
“No one can take the happiness away from the 15 boys who got to represent their country and wear the Australian jumper,” Mr Loyola said.
“Just to be involved in such a professional event was amazing.”
