AFTER A spirited campaign, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team’s (PWNFT) 2023 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Women’s World Cup run came to an end after suffering a 6-0 loss to Norway earlier today at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Heading into today’s match, all teams in Group A had a chance to make the Round of 16. To advance, the Philippines either had to win or draw, but the latter scenario would have needed a Switzerland win against co-hosts New Zealand.
The Filipinas were able to set the tempo within the first five minutes of the match while drawing multiple set pieces. However, the match would see its first breakthrough as Thea Bjede went for a cross, with the ball ending up with Sophie Haug. The A.S. Roma forward went for the left-footed volley, scoring the Gresshoppene’s first goal in this year’s World Cup at the six-minute mark.
Since then, the Norwegians took control of possession and attempted more shots on goal, with the Filipinas struggling to keep up with their pace. It did not take long until Manchester United’s Vilde Risa delivered a cross from the right side to Haug, who scored another goal with the header, putting the former world champions up 2-0.
The 28th minute offered another close call for the Norwegians as FC Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen would find Haug once more, but the latter’s attempt at a hat trick just narrowly went wide. However three minutes later, Hansen would deliver a second time around as she buried a 30-meter shot to triple Norway’s lead. Defender Angela Beard would give the PWNFT its lone goal attempt in the first half with a long distance shot, but Norway’s goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen was quick to make the save.
As the second half began, Arsenal’s Frida Maanum delivered a teasing cross from the right side, which unfortunately led to Alicia Barker putting the ball in her own net to widen Norway’s lead at 4-0 by the 48th minute. Defender Jaclyn Sawicki would commit a foul in the penalty box four minutes later, awarding the penalty to Norway which Guro Reiten took advantage of to increase the lead, 5-0.
Despite the huge deficit, Beard and Katrina Guillou continued to battle back as they would each have an attempt on goal each in a two-minute stretch. However, the Filipinas’ game efforts would quickly be extinguished as left-back Sofia Harrison committed a hard tackle on Bjelde in the 64th minute, resulting in a red card just 10 minutes after coming onto the field.
Norway’s Ingrid Engen attempted a shot in the 72nd minute, but was blocked by Philippines’ defenders. Substitute Quinley Quezada was able to go on a promising run for the Filipinas four minutes later, but was called for offside. Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel continued to thwart the Norwegian attack as she faced two straight shots within a six minute stretch from Reiten and Anna Jøsendal.
Haug eventually bagged her hat trick, becoming only the second player to do so at this year’s World Cup, after receiving a volley from Reiten to slot the header in at stoppage time, 6-0.
The numbers game proved to be the deciding factor in Norway’s dominant triumph. The Norwegians attempted a staggering 30 shots to the Filipinas’ four. They also gained possession of the ball for 61% of the match, disallowing the PWNFT to get the ball across their attacking third. Connecting on their passes at an 88% clip, the world #12 booters were clearly undeterred by the Philippine defense.
Reflecting on their historic run, coach Alen Stajcic commended the Filipinas for their performance in the tournament. “I’m proud of the heart and spirit of our team. They fought to the end and from that perspective, it’s been an amazing World Cup,” he said in a post-match interview.
With the New Zealand-Switzerland match ending in a draw, the Philippines finished fourth in Group A with one win and two losses, concluding their historic World Cup campaign. Switzerland and Norway advanced to the Round of 16, while tournament co-host New Zealand were also eliminated.