10 June 2016 – The Philippines was represented in the first-ever Embassy Cup Diplomatic Soccer held at the SOXNA Soccer Center in Algete, Madrid from June 04 to 05.

The Philippine Team was composed of 13 Filipino male youths from the Filipino community namely, Paul Arnel P. Bautista, Paul Arnel Markku P. Bautista, Francisco Bellido, Jeffrey Toquero Gabuat, Frank Allen Aquino Gandela, Joseph Emmanuel Aquino Gandela, Jhon Marc Mendoza Juarez, John Marc Lopez, John Paul Matibag, Alejandro Onanad, Rohn Patrick Puzon, Jan Paulo Rapisura, and Jake Valdez.

The Philippines belonged to Group E, where it played against El Salvador and Turkey.  On its first game, the Philippines lost against Turkey with a score of 0-1. However, the Philippines won against El Salvador with a score of 1-0 through a goal made by Paul Arnel Bautista.  In the group standing, El Salvador entered the quarter finalsbased on its subsequent victory against Turkey.

In the special game against Georgia, which belonged to Group F, the Philippines won with a score of 5-2.  Goals were made by Frank Allen Aquino Gandel (2), Jeff ToqueroGabuat (1), and Jan Paulo Rapisura (2).  

The Philippine Team demonstrated great team work and sportsmanship during the event.  One of the outstanding players of the Team was its goalkeeper, John Marc Lopez, who showed exceptional agility, strength, and great potential in football.

The Embassy Cup is a football tournament organized by SOXNA Soccer Center, in cooperation with Consejo Superior de Deportes (Spanish National Sports Council), and GrupoItra, with the aim of fostering stronger relations among embassies through sports, and creating an avenue for nationals of various countries to interact in an activity of common interest.   A total of twenty-two countries participated in the said games.  END