New Zealand’s dream FIFA Women’s World Cup has been upended by the Philippines’ historic first win at the tournament.
After the euphoria of an opening night win over Norway, the Football Ferns crashed back down to earth with a 1-0 loss in Wellington on Tuesday.
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Sarina Bolden will go down in history as the first Philippines scorer at a men’s or women’s World Cup, netting a powerful first-half header, and the match-winner.
A resurgent New Zealand thought they had an equaliser when Jacqui Hand netted a looping header, only for Hannah Wilkinson to be deemed fractionally offside in the build-up.
The goal was ruled out following a VAR review more than a minute after wild celebrations, popping the Kiwis’ balloon.
Olivia McDaniel then produced the save of a lifetime, diving low to her left to deny Grace Jale’s volley to preserve the Philippines win.
New Zealand had the best of a physical encounter but couldn’t find a rhythm amidst the Philippines dogged defending.
Bolden punished the Kiwis on 24 minutes, climbing above Rebekah Stott and heading Sara Eggesvik’s cross straight at Vic Esson with such power the Rangers goalkeeper fumbled it into the net.
The goal was a Filipina first with a Western Sydney flavour: where coach Alen Stajcic was raised and scorer Bolden plays her club football for the Wanderers.
Despite playing on enemy territory, the Philippines had plenty of support among the 32,357-strong crowd.
Olivia Chance and Annalie Longo were injected at halftime as the Ferns chased an equaliser.
Opening night hero Wilkinson – guilty of a nasty first-half challenge on Sofia Harrison – was just shy on 58 minutes, getting to CJ Bott’s cross ahead of McDaniel but heading just high.
Chance was playing a blinder and played an exceptional ball for Hand, who thundered a first-time shot against the post.
On 68 minutes the Football Ferns thought their moment had arrived, only for VAR to halt celebrations after Hand had the ball in the net.
From that point on, the die appeared cast, with McDaniel proving as much with her incredible finger-tip save in added time.
The result takes the Philippines level with New Zealand and Switzerland in Group A on three points, with the Swiss facing Norway in their second group stage match later on Tuesday.
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