Philippines shocks co-host New Zealand 1-0 for its first win at the Women's World Cup
Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines' historic match-winner
With its first goal at its first Women's World Cup the unfavored Philippines achieved its first win Tuesday, 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
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