Haitian Red Cross participates in "Football for Peace" match

A resounding call for "peace" was the main message given during a friendship match played between the Haitian and Brazilian national football teams at the Sylvio Castor stadium in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday.

While the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos graced the pitch, the Haitian Red Cross played their part by providing support with ambulances, doctors, nurses and 30 volunteers standing at the ready to administer first aid to both players and spectators should the need arise.

It did not matter that the football teams were unevenly matched. The crowd cheered just as enthusiastically when the world champions scored as when their own local heroes had a shot on goal.

Although the final score was 6-0 to Brazil , everyone left feeling like a winner. The thousands of spectators felt a deep sense of pride that the Brazilian megastars had agreed to visit and play football in their small impoverished country, which has recently been the scene of violent civil unrest and devastating floods.

Haiti has a special connection to Brazil . Apart from admiring their football skills, Haitians look to Brazil as a model country that enjoys unity, economic success, and respect in the world community.

They were all the more proud with a visit from Brazil 's President, Luiz Ignacio da Silva.

Brazil is also playing a special role by working towards peace in Haiti with the UN mission run by Brazilian troops.

Haiti is not new to football and even qualified for the 1974World Cup. The social unrest earlier this year resulted in the looting and destruction of the training centre for Haiti 's footballers.

Today's football match was a symbol of hope in a country that desperately wants to unite and rebuild for a more promising future.

"This match is important because it shows Haitians what a unified country can achieve," says Red Cross volunteer Billy Lorcy. " Brazil has one of the world's best soccer teams. The lesson is that we have to remain unified and strive for peace to improve our lives."