New Zealand now face likely must-win against Swiss after loss to Philippines
New Zealand 0-1 Philippines
The little secret about the Philippines National Team is that 18 of the squad were either born and/or based in the USA. Also, there are more players on the squad who play in A League Women (four) than on Australia (two). Even the coach, Alan Stajcic, is Australian having coached the Matildas in the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Still, it’s a monumental moment for the team where the biggest sport in that country is basketball (and who are co-hosting the Men’s Basketball World Cup in September). Now, a win against Norway on Monday will be enough to advance no matter what happens in the other match. Things are looking up for the Philippines.
Meanwhile, things are looking sideways for the Football Ferns. A win would’ve seen them through to the Round of 16 as the Swiss and Norway finished goalless. But now, they will need a win against Switzerland most likely to advance in Dunedin. A draw is enough unless Norway rediscover themselves and rout the Philippines.
This quote says it all from Stajcic:
“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.”
It was for New Zealand in Wellington while the Philippines made their luck on that night. Oh by the way, the Philippines became the first of the eight debutantes to score.
Switzerland o-0 Norway
The World Cup has been nothing but cruel for Norway, expected by many to finish top of Group A, but now are propping up the group and need a win plus help from Switzerland to advance. Ada Hegerberg suffered an injury in warmups and Caroline Graham Hansen was omitted from the starting lineup and made her feelings known.
“I feel like I’ve been stepped on for a year. I have not been shown respect,” she told Viaplay after the match.
Norway has looked uneasy and it showed in the second half against New Zealand and no goals against Switzerland and no goals after two matched.
As for the Swiss, a draw against New Zealand will see them through to the Round of 16. A win will top the group and potentially avoid a clash with Spain (unless Japan finish first). It’s been a good World Cup so far, but they go to the South Island and Forsythe-Barr Stadium to face the co-hosts who will be determined to keep their fairy tale going.
Colombia 2-0 South Korea
Linda Caicedo was the story of this match. She scored a goal and is a cancer survivor. She’s also 18 and is making the most of this time at the World Cup.
“It is my first World Cup with the senior team and therefore I have to enjoy this tournament,” Caicedo said. “No pressure. I know how young I am, everything that I (still) have to learn, the experience that I have to get.”
Caicedo is just one of the select few who joined her national team as a young teen (age 14) exact and can be considered a rising star in the sport.
Yes, South Korea’s Yoon Young-geul, fumbled the ball into the net, but the setup was good. And now, Colombia is in a good position after their first match and give them some confidence ahead of a meeting with Germany in Sydney on Sunday (4:30am CT, FS1/Telemundo).
Up next, both Spain and Japan can punch their tickets to the Round of 16 with wins against Zambia and Costa Rica, respectively. For Japan, they hope it won’t be a repeat of the men’s match between the two teams in Qatar, last December.
That’s all for now. More later.
