Toca Bola: A Brazilian Soccer Team Blog

cheekychip:

The Chilean miners and rescue workers who captivated the entire world over the course of 2 months and freed over the course of 2 days partook in a friendly game of football at the Chilean National Stadium today.

The miners, Team Hope, consisted of all 33 rescued miners played against Team Operation Rescue, which consisted of the rescue workers and Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera.

Pinera joked,

We agreed that whichever side won got to go back to the presidential palace, and that the losing side had to go back to the bottom of the  mine.

Team Hope, coached by former Chilean international, Franklin Lobo, led through the first half, 2-0.  But the out of shape miners later lost to Team Operation Rescue 3-2.

The miners link to football doesn’t end there.  They’ve been invited to visit several football clubs, around the world; and some have already visited the Bernabeu at President Florentino Perez’s request.

Very cool. The power of futbol.