SUMMARY
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Sarina Bolden made history, scoring the Philippines’ first ever goal in the FIFA World Cup as the Filipinas stunned New Zealand, 1-0, to stay alive in Group A action.
The Filipinas – the first Philippine football team, male or female, to reach the World Cup – also became the first debutant to score a goal in this edition’s tournament.
#FIFAWWC | PHI vs NZL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) July 25, 2023
FULL TIME: The Filipinas stun New Zealand, 1-0, as they record their first ever win at the World Cup stage.
Sarina Bolden scored the only goal of the match at the 24th minute.
The Philippines now has 3 points in Group A. pic.twitter.com/2NGrTDKONr
#FIFAWWC | PHI vs NZL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) July 25, 2023
HALF TIME: The 46th-ranked Filipinas head into the break with an impressive 1-0 advantage over world No. 26 New Zealand.
Sarina Bolden found the back of the net at the 24th minute.
LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/qxqiWmncc8 pic.twitter.com/FlcbEec1gU
#FIFAWWC | PHI vs NZL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) July 25, 2023
45 + 2’ – Philippines’ Katrina Guillou launches a left-footed shot, but it goes off the mark.
#FIFAWWC | WATCH:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) July 25, 2023
Fans at the Filipinas watch party in Makati City celebrate Sarina Bolden’s goal against New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/Iolz7X7cGi
GOAL FOR THE PHILIPPINES!!!
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) July 25, 2023
24’ – Sarina Bolden towers above the New Zealand defenders to head the ball into the net.
The Filipinas lead 1-0 over New Zealand. #FIFAWWC https://t.co/qxqiWmncc8
#FIFAWWC | PHI vs NZL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) July 25, 2023
21’ – New Zealand currently has 65% of the possession, while the Philippines has 16%.
Tournament co-hosts New Zealand has a total of 4 shots, but none of these attempts were on target.
#FIFAWWC | WATCH:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) July 25, 2023
Philippine Azkals head coach Hans Michael Weiss shares his thoughts on the Filipinas’ crucial match versus world No. 26 New Zealand.
“Filipinas have to go all out and win the game in order to have a chance to succeed to the next round.” pic.twitter.com/n32Gnbft3s
Preview
MANILA, Philippines – After a World Cup debut loss, the Philippine women’s football team now fights to stay alive in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Filipinas turn their attention to challenging host and world No. 26 New Zealand in Group A action at 1:30 pm (Philippine time) on Tuesday, July 25 at the Wellington Regional Stadium, hoping to extend their stay with an upset win.
“I’m sure as time goes on, game by game, we’re just gonna get better and better, and that’s just what happens in the evolution of the team,” said Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic.
“I can’t wait to see how they progress whether it’s short term, medium, or even long.”
The Filipinas currently sit at the bottom of Group A with 0 points and a -2 goal difference (GD) behind leader Switzerland (3 points, +2 GD), New Zealand (3 points, +1 GD), and Norway (0 points, -1 GD).
Another win by the Ferns, who stunned 12th-ranked Norway in the opener, will propel them into the knockout round.
Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the Round of 16.
But even as the tournament underdogs, the Filipinas – bannered by Sarina Bolden, Hali Long, Tahnai Annis, Angela Beard, and Olivia McDaniel – showed their potential against world No. 20 Switzerland last Friday.
The Filipinas, ranked 46th in the world, fell short of an upset, 2-0, but they kept pace with the higher-ranked Swiss and even found the back of the net at the 16th minute via a Katrina Guillou goal that got disallowed as the 29-year-old forward was flagged offside.
“I think we showed throughout the game, not even with just the offside goal, that we are a threat in the opposition box,” said Guillou.
New Zealand head coach Jitka Klimkova said the Filipinas’ growth has been “unbelievable.”
“It’s great for women’s football that we have oppositions like Philippines, that they are growing, they are pushing us, they are pushing everybody who they are playing against, so it’s always good for the game,” she said.
Although the Ferns defeated the Filipinas in a friendly match, 2-0, in September last year, Klimkova said it won’t be an “easy game.”
New Zealand team captain Ali Riley (Angel City FC), CJ Bott (Leicester City), Malia Steinmetz, and Hannah Wilkinson (Melbourne City) are some of the key players the Filipinas need to watch.
“They have a reason to be here, they made the World Cup so we are very humbled,” Klimkova said of the Filipinas.
“We know it will be hard and that’s why we are preparing the same way, like we prepared for Norway the same way we are preparing for the Philippines.” – Rappler.com
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