Philippines’ Sarina Bolden reacts after scoring her team’s goal
New Zealand 0, Philippines 1
With its first goal at its first Women’s World Cup the unfavored Philippines achieved its first win yesterday, shocking co-host New Zealand 1-0 in a Group A match made contentious when a potential equalizer was disallowed.
New Zealand achieved its first World Cup win when it 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 its 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 its expectation that this would be its best shot at winning again in the group stage. It 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.
It 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, yesterday’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. MDT/AP
