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Brazil Wins CISM World Military Women’s Soccer Championship

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eric Summers
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Japan --  Brazil defeated The Republic of South Korea 1-0 and captured the gold medal in the 5th CISM World Military Women's Soccer Championship. The lone goal of the game, scored in the 5th minute, was all the undefeated Brazilians needed to capture the Championship. The hard charging South Americans booted in a total of eight goals during championship play. 

The Netherlands took the bronze medal as they came from behind to defeat France in a real nail biter 2-1. France drew first blood on a 21st minute penalty kick goal. The Netherlands scored their first goal in the 78th minute and tied the game up 1-1. A dramatic goal by The Netherlands in the 90th minute proved to be the game winner. 

The Championship, hosted by Keesler Air Force Base and played at the Biloxi High School Stadium and Gulfport Sports Complex, featured elite military teams from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, The Republic of South Korea and the United States .

The top three finishers were followed in order by fourth place France, Germany who finished in fifth, Canada in sixth place, and The United States who settled for a seventh place finish. 

"It has been a great tournament with a lot of fast paced action," described Col. Ian Dickinson, 81st Training Wing commander. "Everybody came out here to play and put everything into the game and had great world class matches." 

"The matches have been very interesting," said Col. Stefan Marginean, the official CISM representative who is from Romania. 

"The matches were difficult and fast paced with lots of action," said Phillippe Lemain, France's coach. 

"I have enjoyed every game," said Mr. Harry Scrivener, who with his wife Sylvia traveled from Florida to see the matches. "We have been here for the whole tournament and it has been fantastic." 

"We are enjoying the skill level and sportsmanship of the teams and very grateful for Keesler, the sponsors and the Gulf Coast for hosting this event," the Scrivners said. 

"It is great to see the amount of people, local and distant, to come and watch the game," said Colonel Dickinson. "The community loved the event and base as well." 

"There was great support from local communities that are from these foreign countries, this kind of support between the community and the base has been great," Col. Dickinson said. 

During the tournament several squadrons on base sponsored the different teams. 

"I think the squadron sponsor was a good thing as they connected well with each other" Colonel Dickinson said. 

"Things were very smooth thanks to team Keesler and the eight squadrons sponsoring the teams," said Mr. Brian Mooers, Keesler's CISM Project Officer. 

"The matches were exciting, but the important thing is that the military can compete on this field and not the battle field," said Col. Marginean. 

"We also received great support from community sponsors for this event," said Colonel Dickinson. "They sponsored a cultural day event, a pool party at the hard rock and a schooner ride for the participants." 

During cultural day participants were treated to southern hospitality with crawfish and shrimp. The event was open to the entire base and allowed the players to socialist and makes bonds with the other teams as well people from all over the base. Organizers say this is the main point of CISM and encourages the motto of "Friendship through Sports." 

"I enjoyed a lot of good matches and also had a great time," said Lt. Col. Dagoberto Pinto, CSC member from Brazil. "I've never been to the South, but the people a very friendly and feel like I'm at home. It was very good to meet and socialize with the many teams; it was a good feeling of the CISM motto." 

Col Pinto also expressed his thanks for a wonderful time and friendships gained, and the hard work by team Keesler to make the event happen. 

"For me and my wife this was a great experience. There was a good attitude from the American military and I was very impressed about the good relationship between the civilians and the military, and the squadrons with their sponsoring teams," said Colonel Marginean. 

For final game stats and highlights visit www.keesler.af.mil.
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