The Philippine National Women’s Football Team took home the country’s first ever victory at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Team Filipinas made history as the women’s national football team triumphed against New Zealand in their second game at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
The team’s star forward, Sarina Bolden, made the goal that led to a 1-0 win against New Zealand’s Football Ferns. For a while it seemed like she wouldn’t make the goal, as the Football Ferns goalkeeper Victoria Esson tried to head the ball back to the field, then tried to grasp the ball. In a cinematic turn of events, the ball slipped past her hands and went into the goal, earning the Philippines its first goal in history at the FIFA World Cup.
The Filipinas’ win came as a surprise as the Football Ferns were expected to triumph after their stellar performance against Norway in their first game. In a display of teamwork, strategy, and solidarity, the Philippines’ national women’s football team successfully held the defense for over 90 minutes straight after making that first goal, securing the country’s historic first victory.
“We had some luck, but we also earned our luck. For team sports, it would have to be one of the best achievements in the history of the country,” Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic said in the post-match interview.
Filipinas’ participation in this year’s World Cup is already historic in itself, as this is the first time the team is joining the competition. Apart from the team making history for earning the Philippines’ first ever win at the series, Bolden’s goal made history for the Philippines as the first debutante team to score a goal in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
