In a stunning turn of events, the Philippines women’s football team defied all odds and achieved a historic victory against New Zealand in a thrilling clash at the World Cup. With a raucous crowd of 32,357 in Wellington, the Philippines claimed their first-ever win at women’s World Cup, sending shockwaves through Group A and shaking up the tournament landscape.
Emotions ran high after the match, as tearful midfielder Sara Eggesvik expressed her disbelief at the team’s remarkable accomplishment. The triumph showcased that with determination and belief, even underdogs can rise to greatness on the global stage.
“I can’t believe what we have achieved, It shows that it’s possible to do something big.”
On the other hand, it was a heartbreaking defeat for New Zealand, as their Czech coach Jitka Klimkova bemoaned their misfortune. Despite fighting fiercely until the final whistle, the Football Ferns couldn’t find their way past the resilient Philippine defense.
“It’s so heartbreaking for everyone in this team,”
“We played to win and it didn’t go our way. We were fighting until the end, but it wasn’t enough.”
Preceding the game, Philippines coach Alen Stajcic had declared his team’s intention to “crash the party” and make a statement against the high-flying New Zealand squad. And they indeed lived up to their words.
The turning point came in the 24th minute when the Philippines scored the only goal of the match. Bolden’s brilliant header found the back of the net, leaving New Zealand’s goalkeeper Victoria Esson stunned and the home crowd in disbelief.
The contrast in performances was evident, with the Philippines, ranked 46th in the world and 20 places below New Zealand, showing remarkable improvement compared to their opening defeat to Switzerland. New Zealand, riding high after their first-ever World Cup win against Norway, failed to replicate the same self-confidence on the field.
The match could have had a different outcome had Philippines forward Katrina Guillou been more accurate with her shot just before half-time. However, the Philippines defense held firm, and despite New Zealand’s efforts in the second half, they couldn’t find the equalizer.
Beyond the thrilling match, the Philippines’ journey to this point is a testament to their perseverance and determination. Emerging from a region where football is not the dominant sport, the team’s progress has been nothing short of miraculous. Under the guidance of Australian coach Alen Stajcic, the Philippines has made significant strides, rising in FIFA rankings and achieving historical milestones in various tournaments.
In the short span since Stajcic took the reins as coach in late 2021, the Philippines’ women’s football team has been on a meteoric rise, climbing from 68th to a remarkable 46th spot in the FIFA rankings.
Their FIFA journey took off with a memorable semifinal appearance in the 2022 Women’s Asian Cup, a tournament that saw them secure a historic World Cup qualifying spot. Building on that success, they went on to claim a bronze medal at the Southeast Asian Games and clinched a glorious victory in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship on home soil in the Philippines.
Stajcic’s valuable expertise, honed from his playing and coaching experiences in Australia, including leading the Australian Women’s National Team, the Matildas, in the 2015 Women’s World Cup, has played a pivotal role in the Philippines’ development. His focus on extended training sessions, exemplified by the intensive 10-week camp in the United States before the Asian Cup, has contributed significantly to the team’s growth and skill enhancement.
Despite acknowledging the challenges of facing powerhouse teams from Europe and North America, where women’s football has seen immense growth, Stajcic remained optimistic about the Philippine team’s prospects in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. He firmly believes that they are already making a strong impression and can make a significant impact on the global stage.
As the Philippines continues to prove their mettle on the world stage, other teams should take notice. Their story serves as an inspiration to all, showing that with dedication and a little professional support, they have the potential to become dominant forces in women’s football.
In this captivating clash of football prowess, the Philippines’ underdog victory has set the stage for more surprises and thrills in the ongoing Women’s World Cup. The beautiful game continues to evolve, and it’s moments like these that remind us why we love sports – for the drama, the passion, and the unexpected turns that leave us all on the edge of our seats.
As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen how both teams will fare. Will the Philippines continue their fairy-tale run and prove themselves against stronger opponents, or can New Zealand bounce back and show their true potential as co-hosts?
