The entire country erupted in celebration when the Philippine national women’s football team beat New Zealand, 1-0, to post its first ever victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Former member Camille Rodriguez was teary-eyed watching the Filipinas shine in the biggest football stage in the world as Sarina Bolden delivered a stunning goal in the 24th minute off goalkeeper Victoria Esson to seal the victory.
Rodriguez, who was part of the Filipinas team that saw action in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, said the victory is a result of years of hard work and sacrifices not just of the 23 brave women, but also of the coaches, team staff and officials of the Philippine Football Federation.
“I know hours of practice were put in there,” said Rodriguez, who served as host of the World Cup viewing party at the UP Town Center Activity Center in Quezon City on Tuesday.
“We would repeat it in training and I’m proud that Sarina put it in but I’m also proud of the team because of everyone there.”
Rodriguez said getting into the World Cup wasn’t easy but the team stayed together, kept the faith and worked hard regardless of the challenges.
“The journey has been hard and long,” she said.
“There have been many peaks and valleys but when you get there, it makes it worth it no matter how far you might have gotten with the team.”
Football fans were in a frenzy at the Filipinas’ win over the Football Ferns at the Sky Stadium in Wellington with Bolden, a 27-year-old striker from California, serving as the hero.
New Zealand pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half but failed to find their way past the resolute Philippine defense.
“It’s so heartbreaking for everyone in this team,” said New Zealand’s Czech coach Jitka Klimkova, whose side beat former champion Norway 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament for a first-ever World Cup win of their own.
“We were fighting until the end, but it wasn’t enough.”
Also in attendance during the well-attended viewing party was former Filipinas head coach Let Dimzon, who believes this win will fuel the Filipinas in their final match against Norway on 30 July at Eden Park in Auckland.
Should they prevail, anything can happen in the knockout stages.
“It’s a big achievement not only for the Philippine team but for the football community here. We witnessed how we fought even in the first game against Switzerland,” Dimzon told Daily Tribune.
“You can see the difference from qualification to the World Cup was huge. I think we have a chance to go further because they saw the changes in the first and second games going into the match against Norway and I think the team can dig deep once more.”
