Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) — The Philippine women’s football team is within arm’s reach of booking a ticket to the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
The Filipinas earned their first-ever World Cup victory over host nation New Zealand on Tuesday, a contest where Sarina Bolden scored the historic lone goal and Olivia McDaniel making clutch stops at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
With the win, the Philippines is in a good position to progress to the knockout stage.
The race for the top two spots in Group A became wide open after the match between Switzerland and Norway ended in a scoreless draw.
Switzerland is at first place in the group with four points following a 2-0 win over the Philippines last week.
New Zealand and the Philippines have three points each with an identical 1-0-1 win-draw-loss record.
However, New Zealand has a superior quotient than the Philippines based on goal difference (goals scored minus goals allowed).
Norway is in fourth in the group with one point.
Group A standings (win-draw-loss/goal difference/points)
Switzerland 1-0-1 / +2 / 4 points
New Zealand 1-0-1 / 0 / 3 points
Philippines 1-0-1 / -1 / 3 points
Norway 0-1-0 / -1 / 1 point
The best way for the Filipinas to advance to the Round of 16 is by beating Norway. They could even be on top of the group with a victory over Norway and a draw between Switzerland and New Zealand.
A loss will end the Philippines’ journey in the World Cup.
If both matches end in a draw, Switzerland and New Zealand will advance in the Round of16.
The Filipinas will try to extend their Cinderella run versus Norway on July 30 in Auckland.
