With their first goal at their first Women’s World Cup the unfavored Philippines achieved their first win Tuesday, shocking co-hosts New Zealand 1-0 in a Group A match made contentious when a potential equaliser was disallowed.
New Zealand achieved their first World Cup win when they upset Norway in the tournament’s opening match five days ago. And so for the first time in six World Cups, the Football Ferns entered a match as favorite, almost certain with another win to become the first team to reach the round of 16.
But Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines’ historic match-winner from their first shot on goal in the 24th minute, flipping the script and silencing a packed stadium of 33,000 mostly newly-minted Kiwi soccer fans.
New Zealand had been ascendant in the first 20 minutes, playing with a confidence which reflected their expectation that this would be their best shot at winning again in the group stage. They had 80% of possession, 74 completed passes to 11, five early shots on goal and it seemed inevitable the goals would come that would carry them into the next round for the first time.
They ended with 67% possession and nine shots on goal to three but it wasn’t enough. California-born goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was magnificent for the Philippines, called on to make athletic saves including two in second-half stoppage time.
“I’ve got everyone else’s tears all over my eyes, it’s so emotional,” Philippines coach Alen Stajcic said. “You saw how long New Zealand had to wait for its first win — six World Cups — and (for Philippines) to get it today was incredible.
“We made our own luck but we also had a lot of luck. New Zealand were on the front foot the whole game and deserved something. But football is cruel sometimes.”
New Zealand keeper Vic Esson had nothing to do until the 20th minute when she had to come forward to punch away a threatening free kick. Suddenly there was disarray in New Zealand’s defense.
Four minutes later and from another free kick which caused chaos in the New Zealand goalmouth, the clearance was ineffective and Sara Eggesvik sent the ball back in for Bolden, who leapt high to head the ball home. There was a moment of stunned silence and suddenly the Philippines supporters found full voice.
New Zealand threw everything at Philippines in the second half but to no avail. The moment of contention came in the 68th when Jacqui Hand, who hit the post four minutes earlier, headed home what seemed to be the equalizing goal from Hannah Wilkinson’s cross.
The New Zealanders were in full celebration until the referee ruled that Wilkinson had been offside. The decision was close: Wilkinson’s arm and part of her shoulder were offside, but that was enough.
Wilkinson had chances in the first half and another in the second when she headed over the bar. But she wasn’t able to recapture the form she showed as New Zealand’s scorer against Norway.
After the elation of the Norway, Tuesday’s loss was a bitter blow, not only for the Ferns but for the legion of fans they won with their opening win. Now they have to regroup and find the strength to go again, hoping their fans will keep the faith.
New Zealand’s win over Norway was a transformative moment for soccer in a rugby-mad country. A win over the Philippines on Tuesday would have elevated the sport even further.
Soccer has had no foothold at any time in this South Pacific nation, one of the game’s farthest-flung frontiers. The New Zealand men’s team has twice qualified for the World Cup but neither success substantially altered the fact soccer is a minority sport here.
The live crowd and television audience for the Football Ferns’ opening match were the largest-ever for a soccer match — men’s or women’s — in New Zealand and Tuesday’s match in Wellington was sold out well ahead of time. The attendance was smaller than Auckland, only because the stadium was smaller and thousands more were turned away.
All 26,000 tickets for New Zealand’s last group game against Switzerland in Dunedin on Sunday already have been sold.
New Zealand must find a way to win against Switzerland to keep alive its tournament hopes. Now the Philippines have made history and they can look, as New Zealand did, for transformation in the profile and support for their team.
“We were dominating the game tonight, we were keeping the ball,” New Zealand coach Jitka Klimkova said. “There were too many unforced turnovers. We didn’t see those turnovers in our game against Norway.
“We can be more prepared against Switzerland. The tournament is not over yet — we’ll keep fighting.”
Spots in the next stage will be on the line when New Zealand plays Switzerland in Dunedin and Philippines plays Norway in Auckland on Sunday.
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