It’s his first goal first FIFA Women’s World Cup not liked Philippines got his first win on Tuesday, New Zealand 1-0 shocking in the Group A competition they argued when the same goal was denied.
New Zealand won their first World Cup when they upset Norway in the opening match of the tournament five days ago. And so for the first time in six World Cups, the Football Ferns entered their favorite game, determined with another win to become the first team to reach the round of 16.
But Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines’ historic winner on the team’s first shot in the 24th minute, flipping the script and stopping the 33,000 Kiwi football fans who had just made it.
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New Zealand came out on top in the opening 20 minutes, playing with confidence that showed they hoped this would be their best shot at winning the group again. He had 80 percent, 74 completed to 11, the first five shots on goal and it seemed inevitable that goals would come that would enter the next phase for the first time.
It ended with 67 percent and nine shots on goal to three but it wasn’t enough. California-born goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was good for the Philippines, called upon to make two saves in a stoppage-time second half.
“I have tears for everyone else in my eyes, it’s very exciting,” said Philippines coach Alen Stajcic, who was sacked by the Matildas in controversy in 2019.
“You saw how long New Zealand had to wait to win – six World Cups – and (for the Philippines) to take it today was amazing.
“We created our chances but we also had a lot of chances. New Zealand were ahead the whole game and had to do something. But football is cruel at times.”
New Zealand manager Vic Esson had nothing to do until the 20th minute when he had to come forward to tackle a threatening ball. Suddenly there was chaos in the New Zealand defence.
Four minutes later and from another free kick that caused chaos in the New Zealand goalmouth, the clearance didn’t work and Sara Eggesvik played the ball back to Bolden, who jumped high to head the ball home.
There was a moment of stunned silence and suddenly the Filipino fans had a full voice.
New Zealand threw everything at the Philippines in the second half but to no avail. The decisive moment came in the 68th when Jacqui Hand, who had hit the post four minutes earlier, headed home what looked like an equalizer from Hannah Wilkinson’s cross.
The New Zealanders were in full celebration until the referee ruled that Wilkinson was offside. The decision was close: Wilkinson’s hand and part of his shoulder were offside, but it was enough.
Wilkinson had a chance in the first half and another in the second when he crossed the bar. But he was unable to replicate the form he showed as New Zealand’s goalscorer against Norway.
After the euphoria of Norway’s victory, Tuesday’s loss was especially painful, not only for the Ferns but also for the crowd of fans who had won and won. Now they need to rebuild and find the strength to go again, hoping that their fans will keep the faith.
New Zealand’s win over Norway was a game-changing moment in the rugby-mad world. A win for the Philippines on Tuesday would have lifted the game even further.
Football has never been played in the South Pacific, which is one of the sport’s furthest frontiers. The New Zealand men’s team has competed in the World Cup twice but neither success has changed the way football is a minority sport here.
The crowd and television audience for the opening game of the Football Ferns was the biggest ever for a game of football – men’s or women’s – in New Zealand and Tuesday’s match in Wellington was a sell-out before kick-off. The attendance was lower than in Auckland, only because the stadium was smaller and thousands more were turned away.
All 26,000 tickets for the New Zealand team’s final match against Switzerland in Dunedin on Sunday have already been sold.
New Zealand must find a way to win against Switzerland to keep their hopes of the tournament alive. Now the Philippines has made history and can look, like New Zealand, to change its history and support its team.
“We controlled the game tonight, we kept the ball,” New Zealand coach Jitka Klimkova said. “There were a lot of unforced factors. We didn’t see that change in our game against Norway.
“We can be more prepared against Switzerland. The tournament is not over yet – we will keep fighting.”
Spots in the next round will be on the line as New Zealand play Switzerland in Dunedin and the Philippines play Norway in Auckland on Sunday.
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