You picked! CBC's London Morning roots for Colombia at the FIFA World Cup
CBC’s London Morning is rooting for the South American country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Go Colombia!
CBC's London Morning is rooting for the South American country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Last week, CBC News asked Londoners to help us pick a team to adopt since our default, Canada, isn't one of the qualifying teams.
It came down to Iceland and Colombia, but the latter won, getting the nod from London soccer fans originally from Colombia.
For starters, Andrea Giraldo said the support means a lot for the team on the field.
"It makes them feel like they're not alone; they're out there for a reason. There's a motive behind it. It's not just a sport. It's not just job. But it's that feeling for doing something for their country," she said.
Born in the Latin American country, Giraldo, who's far from home, said the gesture also means a lot to her.
"Colombia for me is paradise … For people so far away, you learn to love and appreciate what you don't have beside you," she said.
"When it comes to soccer, it's like that one thing that all Colombians just unite as one. We get to celebrate together no matter your age, no matter what political stand you take, we're all going for the same team," she added.
And her cousin, Catalina Giraldo, said the representation of her country on the big screen may inspire people to learn more about Colombia, ultimately breaking down stereotypes.
"People would start learning more about what Colombia is and not just the usual stereotypes," she said.
"There are so many things about Colombia: the flowers, the culture, the food, the music and the dance … There's so much more."
The team is scheduled to play Japan on Tuesday.
And 14-year-old Joseph Vega Gonzalez, who plays for the Western Region Soccer League, won't miss a chance to watch the players he looks up to — even if it means catching short snippets during school time.
"It feels really nice. It makes me feel happy; it's the best thing in my life that I've ever experienced," he said about watching team Colombia in action. "I'm very, very inspired."
