Sarina Bolden celebrates her goal for Philippines against Aotearoa New Zealand at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Photo credit: FIFA Women’s World Cup on Twitter.
New Zealand 0-1 Philippines (Sarina Bolden 24′)
Alen Stajcic talked about spoiling the party before Philippines’s match with New Zealand, and spoil the party they did. While the Football Ferns earn an historic win against Norway, this match saw Philippines create their own history at just the second time of asking. Coming off an impressive performance against Switzerland, Philippines did the job they set out to do – score a goal, and defend well. On the other hand, Aotearoa were sluggish and lacked cohesion, despite riding the wave of confidence from their historic win against Norway.
While the Football Ferns enjoyed 69% of possession, Philippines constantly frustrated them by crowding the ball carrier. Despite this huge share of possession, Aotearoa managed just 15 shots, with only 5 on target. Aotearoa truly dominated this match, but didn’t capitalise. Philippines only created one big chance, but they took it. That is the difference between creating history and a handbrake being put your building momentum.
Philippines’s magic
It was clear from the outset Philippines had come to Te-Whanganui-a-Tara with some real intent. Philippines pressed high and created problems from the early stages of this match. They played with great energy, and when they won a free-kick in New Zealand’s territory mid-way through the first half, you could tell they felt something was coming. New Zealand scrappily cleared the free-kick which fell the way of Sara Kristine Eggesvik, who crossed the ball back in. Sarina Bolden bullied the Football Ferns’s Rebekah Stott, and headed the ball past a desperate Victoria Esson. Bolden’s 24th minute effort was the Pilipinas’s first World Cup goal, and it proved to be decisive.
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘: #FIFAWWWC HISTORY FOR THE FILIPINAS!!!!!!!!!
🇳🇿 0-1 🇵🇭
🔵🔴🟡 #LabanFilipinas #ParaSaBayan #WinTheMoment #FilipinasTayo #FWWC2023 #NZLvPHI pic.twitter.com/PLUuirHDgh
— Philippine WNT ⚽ (@PilipinasWNFT) July 25, 2023
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniels was named Player of the Match for an outstanding display in net. While she was largely untroubled by the Ferns’s efforts, McDaniels came up clutch in the second half injury time. New Zealand’s Grace Jale must have thought she’d salvaged a point when she curled a shot towards the bottom corner, only for McDaniels to stick out a strong hand and tip the effort around the upright.
New Zealand sluggish and wasteful
Against both Vietnam and Norway, the Football Ferns were cohesive and their passing was crisp. The first half of this match against Philippines was the total opposite. Balls which had previously come off were entirely missing their target. The Ferns were often guilty of taking too much time on the ball, allowing the Philippines defence time to organise or close down the ball carrier. The speed of play improved after half time, when Annalie Longo and Liv Chance were introduced off the bench. Aotearoa played with more urgency and intent as the game drew to a close – had they played this way from the start they may have won the match.
After scoring three times in their last two matches, New Zealand’s goal scoring woes returned. Most of New Zealand’s five shots on target were straight at Olivia McDaniels, with only Jale’s effort forcing a good save. Katie Bowen poked her effort wide just before half time. A creative corner routine just before the hour mark saw Hannah Wilkinson get a free header, which she nodded just over the bar. Liv Chance then put in an inch perfect cross, only for Jacqui Hand’s effort to hit the post. Wilkinson jumped highest to meet a free-kick, only for her header to go straight at McDaniels.
The Football Ferns did have the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be called back for offside. A deep ball from Ali Riley in the 68th minute found Wilkinson in a good crossing position. Her cross found Hand’s head, and the ball flew past the diving McDaniels. Wilkinson appeared to have timed her run to perfection, but the semi-automated offside technology ruled her shoulder and part of her head to be marginally offside.
Group A outlook
Philippines have indeed spoiled Aotearoa’s party, and in doing so set up an intriguing final match day. With Switzerland and Norway playing out a nil-all draw, Philippines are now in a position to qualify for the knockouts. An even bigger upset win over Norway would see them through, regardless of the other result. Remember, this is just their first World Cup.
Aotearoa’s fate is also still in their own hands. Should they beat Switzerland in their final game, the Ferns will also be through regardless of the other result. The Ferns could still qualify with a draw, though they would require the other result and goal difference to go their way. Ria Percival’s penalty miss against Norway might yet come back to haunt them.
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