Bolden header seals World Cup triumph over host New Zealand
The Philippines made history with its first-ever goal and first victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, stunning host New Zealand, 1-0, at the sold-out Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington.
Coach Alen Stajcic, who on Sunday vowed to crash the NZ party, did so by using scoring machine Sarina Bolden and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel as the 46th-ranked Philippine team, collectively known as the Filipinas, scored one of the tournament’s biggest shockers.
Bolden headed the winning ball in the 24th minute right at New Zealand goalkeeper Victoria Esson, who blocked the attempt with her face and watched in horror as the ball flew over her head and into the back of the net.
“I know how hard we have to work throughout the game before we go celebrating. This (Bolden’s goal) is a special goal, our first goal for the country and its history. We’ve worked hard to come after that,” said Stajcic.
McDaniel, on the other hand, saved seven attempts by the world no. 26 Ferns, to help secure the win for the Filipinas, who moved to a share of second spot with their victims.
The confident Ferns missed outright qualification to the knockout stages with their first loss in two games in Group A.
The Ferns, who were riding high on their 1-0 upset of Norway, put on the pressure after Bolden’s golden moment.
The Jitka Klimkova-coached hosts got frustrated after many attempts missed their target and Fil-American goalkeeper McDaniel swatted three of four attempts in the four minutes of added time.
“This (win) means everything to us. I think we put our heads down the minute the game was up. New Zealand was coming on hard from their win against Norway. We just kept our heads down and focused. We had a goal in mind and achieved it. And now, we can our best for the better,” said McDaniel, who was named Player of the Match.
She knocked away three of four attempts during the extended minute, including Grace Jale’s final assault.
Filipino fans roared the name of the Filipinas after Fil-Australian Angela Beard eluded the defense at the right wing and hit a cross to Bolden, who headed the ball past three defenders. The ball then sailed down past the head of Esson, who fell down in front of the goal mouth.
Klimkova said the Philippines’ win and Bolden’s heroics, ended the Ferns’ euphoric feelings over their memorable win over the Norwegian side.
“This is sports. Five days ago, we were celebrating, and we were so excited. Today, we didn’t get what we wanted and played for. I would say from what I saw so far, there were a lot of unforced errors in our game with Norway. So, execution today was not excellent,” said Klimkova.
The 48-year-old Klimkova, who used to play for the Czech national women’s team, said the Ferns still kept their best to score a goal, but the Filipinas kept the defense disciplined and tight in their backline.
The encounter attracted 32,357 fans, who came to watch as the Filipinas rebounded from their 0-2 loss to Switzerland.
The Ferns pushed for an equalizer and almost did after an excellent cross from Hannah Wilkinson found Jacqui Hand in the 69th minute.
Hand headed the ball into the net, but the goal was eventually ruled out after Wilkinson’s attack was deemed offside, following a screen from Hali Long at the left corner.
Jale tried her luck in the dying moments of the game, but a save by McDaniel denied the hosts their last chance at an equalizer.
Wilkinson, the heroine of the Ferns’ win over Norway, tried to score a header during the added time, but it went off to the left of the net.
McDaniel, knocked away three more attempts, including Jale’s final assault.
