Here's how the Philippines can qualify for Women's World Cup Last 16
The Philippine women’s national football team is almost in the final fixture of its group stage campaign in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the race to the last 16 has only gotten tighter.
*Philippines' goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel celebrates with teammates after winning against New Zealand in their Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group A football match at Wellington Stadium, also known as Sky Stadium, in Wellington on Tuesday, July 25. (AFP)*
It was Sarina Bolden who headed the Philippines’ first-ever goal against hometown bet New Zealand and directly into its goalkeeper Victoria Esson, who fumbled it into the net in the 24th-minute of the match as the country lived to see another day in the grandest football showpiece. After claiming its maiden win in the 32-team tournament, the Philippines’ tough climb is not over yet as it only improved a notch higher in Group A with a 1-1 record to tie with New Zealand for the second seed. However, due to the Philippines’ opening 2-0 defeat against world No. 20 Switzerland, the debutant was left with a -1 goal differential. The perfect scenario for the world No. 46 Filipinas to advance to the Round of 16 is to pull off a victory or draw against 12th-ranked Norway on Sunday, July 30, at 3 p.m. (Manila time) while simultaneously hoping that Switzerland claims the win over tournament co-host New Zealand by any scoreline. Opposite to the best scenario, though, the Nationals will get eliminated with a loss to the Norwegians or if they settle for a draw and the Swiss-Kiwi clash also end up with the same scoreline. The Filipinas were widely expected to struggle against the powerhouses, but they have done history and changed narratives into the country’s delight. The Philippines will do it all in Eden Park, Auckland when it attempts to keep the group’s supposed top seed Norway winless in the tournament to progress in its debut.
*Philippines' goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel celebrates with teammates after winning against New Zealand in their Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group A football match at Wellington Stadium, also known as Sky Stadium, in Wellington on Tuesday, July 25. (AFP)*
It was Sarina Bolden who headed the Philippines’ first-ever goal against hometown bet New Zealand and directly into its goalkeeper Victoria Esson, who fumbled it into the net in the 24th-minute of the match as the country lived to see another day in the grandest football showpiece. After claiming its maiden win in the 32-team tournament, the Philippines’ tough climb is not over yet as it only improved a notch higher in Group A with a 1-1 record to tie with New Zealand for the second seed. However, due to the Philippines’ opening 2-0 defeat against world No. 20 Switzerland, the debutant was left with a -1 goal differential. The perfect scenario for the world No. 46 Filipinas to advance to the Round of 16 is to pull off a victory or draw against 12th-ranked Norway on Sunday, July 30, at 3 p.m. (Manila time) while simultaneously hoping that Switzerland claims the win over tournament co-host New Zealand by any scoreline. Opposite to the best scenario, though, the Nationals will get eliminated with a loss to the Norwegians or if they settle for a draw and the Swiss-Kiwi clash also end up with the same scoreline. The Filipinas were widely expected to struggle against the powerhouses, but they have done history and changed narratives into the country’s delight. The Philippines will do it all in Eden Park, Auckland when it attempts to keep the group’s supposed top seed Norway winless in the tournament to progress in its debut.