Global Courant
Sarina Bolden scores the Philippines’ historic game winner from their first shot on goal in a 1-0 victory.
Scoring their first goal in their inaugural Women’s World Cup, the unfavorable Philippines won their first ever match in the tournament, surprising fellow hosts New Zealand 1–0 in a Group A match that became contentious when a potential equalizer was disallowed.
For the first time in six World Cups, the Football Ferns entered the game as favorites on Tuesday and would almost certainly have become the first team to reach the round of 16 with another win after upset Norway in the opening game of the tournament last week.
But Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines’ historic game winner from their first shot on target in the 24th minute, turning the script around and silencing a packed stadium of 33,000 mostly Kiwi soccer fans.
New Zealand were on the rise in the first 20 minutes, playing with a confidence that reflected their expectation that this would be their best chance of winning in the group stage and it seemed inevitable that the goals would come first through to the next round.
New Zealand goalkeeper Vic Esson had nothing to do until the 20th minute when she had to come forward to clear away a menacing free kick. Suddenly there was panic, even disarray, in the New Zealand defence.
Four minutes later and from another free-kick that caused chaos in the New Zealand goalmouth, the clearance was ineffective and Sara Eggesvik returned the ball for Bolden, who jumped high to head the ball in.
There was a moment of stunned silence and suddenly Philippine supporters were given full voice.
The game was more competitive for the remainder of the first half as New Zealand attempted to regroup and assemble. Before the break they had a handful of missed opportunities.
New Zealand threw everything at the Philippines in the second half, but in vain. The moment of contention came in the 68th when Jacqui Hand, who had been denied by the post four minutes earlier, headed home what appeared to be the equalizer from Hannah Wilkinson’s cross.
The New Zealanders celebrated until the referee ruled that Wilkinson was offside. The decision was close: Wilkinson’s arm and part of her shoulder were offside, but that was enough.
In a hectic finish, Philippine striker Carleigh Frilles also got the ball into the net from an offside position and New Zealand’s Grace Jale was foiled from close range by a fine save by McDaniel.
The Philippines will close their Group A against 1995 winners Norway on Sunday, while New Zealand will take on Switzerland.
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