Australian coach Alen Stajcic has declared the Philippines’ win over New Zealand the finest moment in his footballing career and one of the country’s greatest sporting triumphs.
The Filipinas defeated Women’s World Cup co-hosts New Zealand 1-0 on Tuesday night in Wellington courtesy of Sarina Bolden’s goal.
It was the country’s first World Cup victory – men and women – at just their second attempt.
When New Zealand enjoyed their first-ever win last week, in the tournament opener against Norway, it was in their 16th Women’s World Cup match.
“To think we’ve done it in our second match at our first World Cup, you can’t really appreciate how far we’ve come,” Stajcic said.
“It’s pretty raw. It was very emotional out on the pitch. Just seeing just about everyone, every staff member, every player crying.”
“I’ve got everyone else’s tears all over my eyes.”
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 25, 2023
The emotion. The passion. This is everything and more
Alen Stajcic and a post-game interview for the ages.#FIFAWWC #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/7FAwH8dC5m
In the post-match press conference, a journalist told Stajcic the Filipino media contingent had all cried on the final whistle, showing the gravity of the triumph.
Stajcic likened the victory to national hero and legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao’s achievements.
“It’s just a special moment in the history of Philippines team sport,” he said.
“I don’t know if there’s been a bigger win. Obviously Pacquiao individually but for team sport, it would have to be one of the best achievements in the history of the country.”
For Stajcic, the win also completes a redemptive arc from when he was unceremoniously dumped as Matildas coach in 2019 following a cultural review.
The 49-year-old led Australia to their best-ever ranking of world No.5, a round-of-16 win at the 2015 World Cup – Australia’s only World Cup knockout victory – and a heartbreaking quarter-final exit at the 2018 Olympics on penalties.
However, he declared Tuesday night’s triumph his best.
“How can you beat that, beating the host nation in a World Cup? Without question, it’s number one,” he said.
“This team was ranked in the 60s and 70s a few months ago and struggling to beat Nepal and Hong Kong.
“It’s just staggering, miraculous and unbelievable. What the players have done is just mind blowing really.”
Matildas play down Fowler issue
All eyes will be on Mary Fowler ahead of the Matildas’ Women’s World Cup clash with Nigeria after the young gun suffered a knock at training.
Fowler is due to line up alongside Caitlin Foord in attack against Nigeria as Australia manoeuvres through life without injured skipper Sam Kerr.
Tuesday’s training was closed to media but host broadcasters Optus Sport were originally due to interview Fowler.
But they were instead told by Football Australia that Fowler had suffered a knock late in the session and required a precautionary assessment.
FA later allayed fears over Fowler’s condition, saying she was “all good”.
Mary Fowler. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
But there will clearly be a watch on the 20-year-old in Wednesday morning’s final session before Thursday’s game at Suncorp Stadium.
Star forward Foord, meanwhile, insisted Kerr’s calf injury, suffered a day out from the opening 1-0 win over Ireland, won’t derail her entire campaign.
“She’s just doing everything possible to be in the best condition for when she does step back on the pitch,” Foord told Optus Sport.
“She’ll definitely be back this tournament.”
As the only team in Group B with three points from their opening game, Australia can seal progression to the knockout stages with victory over Nigeria, who have one point so far.
If Canada (one point) and Ireland (zero points) draw in Perth on Wednesday night, a win would lock in top spot for the Matildas ahead of their third group game.
The Matildas last played Nigeria at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
On that day, in Winnipeg, Canada, Kyah Simon scored both goals in a 2-0 group-stage win.
Kerr provided an assist for the second goal and copped an elbow to the face off the ball from Ugo Njoku that drew a three-game retrospective ban.
“A tough, tough game, I remember,” midfielder Katrina Gorry said.
“I watched them play Canada and they’re even more powerful than they were then.
“They’ve got so much speed but a lot of class across the field, (they’re) technically very good.
“If you’re not on your defensive game, they’ll exploit you and with the pace they have, it’s pretty scary.”
Tameka Yallop has recovered from a corked thigh to press her selection case.
“It’ll be a very different game from 2015 but they still have all those qualities that they had before,” she said.
“There’s a little bit of unpredictability to them, which does make it a little bit difficult. But at the same time we’ve trained for that as well in our prep.
“It’s just about being focused in every moment against them.”
Ireland sat back and defended deep against Australia.
After drawing 0-0 with Canada first up, Nigeria may need to open up to chase three points.
That would suit Australia fine.
“It’s going to be another second-ball game and hitting them on transition. They obviously put a lot of numbers forward,” Gorry said.
“So if we can try and hit them on transition, I think we’ll give them a tough time.”
Norway in peril
Norway are staring down the possibility of a Women’s World Cup group stage exit after scrapping out a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Switzerland.
The Norwegians sit bottom of Group A on one point, following their 1-0 opening loss to New Zealand with an unconvincing draw after the Philippines earlier beat the Football Ferns.
Hege Riise’s charges will have to beat the Philippines, and hope the Switzerland-New Zealand clash falls in their favour, to progress.
Switzerland lead the group on four points (goal difference +2), followed by New Zealand (three points, 0) and the Philippines (three points, -1).
Norway copped a massive blow just minutes before kick-off when star striker Ada Hegerberg, after singing the national anthem, walked back down the tunnel and withdrew from the game at FMG Stadium, Waikato.
The Norwegian federation said on Twitter Hegerberg had felt something in her groin late in the warm-up.
The Lyon sharpshooter was replaced by Sophie Roman Haug.
Barcelona guns Caroline Graham Hansen and Ingrid Engen had already been bizarrely dropped to the bench after Norway’s opening loss to New Zealand.
It was a call that didn’t pay off as the Norwegians were unable to get past Switzerland goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann, who made five saves.
Both sides lacked a clinical edge in wet conditions.
Roman Haug forced Thalmann into a big save with a powerful header in the 24th minute.
Eight minutes later Coumba Sow slipped through Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic but the Switzerland striker couldn’t get her shot on target.
Roman Haag forced Thalmann into another good save in the 55th minute.
Graham Hansen’s introduction two minutes later gave Norway a much-needed spark.
Switzerland’s Ramona Bachmann burst away in the 64th minute and cut onto her left but dragged her shot wide.
Graham Hansen went on a wonderful run in the 75th minute, jinking past defenders before shooting towards the bottom corner.
But Thalmann again stood up, making a good double-save to deny first the Barcelona star, then Arsenal attack Frida Maanum’s follow-up, and preserve a clean sheet.
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