Group C: Spain cruise past Zambia to advance

Wed, 26 Jul, 2023

Group C: Spain cruise past Zambia to advance

Auckland: Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice as Spain qualified for the last 16 of the  FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 with a 5-0 win over Zambia on Wednesday, a result that also propelled Japan into the knockout phase.

The fit-again Alexia Putellas was handed a start by Spain coach Jorge Vilda and she played a part in early goals by Teresa Abelleira and Hermoso at Eden Park before substitute Redondo scored twice in the second half, either side of another Hermoso goal as Spain cruised to victory.
Japan had beaten Costa Rica 2-0 earlier and they and Spain, have a better goal difference, are now locked on six points each and need just a draw to finish in first place when the sides clash in Wellington.
Zambia are already condemned to a first-round exit in their debut appearance at the World Cup after a second successive 5-0 hammering.

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Group C: Japan beat Costa Rica to book knockout stage spot

Wed, 26 Jul, 2023

Group C: Japan beat Costa Rica to book knockout stage spot

Dunedin: Japan booked their FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 knockout stage spot after a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in Group C on Wednesday.

The 2011 world champions place was confirmed after Spain defeated Zambia 5-0 later on Wednesday, as both teams took their tally to six points with their meeting on Monday to decide the group winners.
 
A dominant Japan opened the scoring through Hikaru Naomoto in the 25th minute and Aoba Fujino doubled the lead almost immediately after as the East Asians maintained their fine form from their Matchday One 5-0 victory over Zambia. 

Bolden just happy to be part of Philippines history

Wed, 26 Jul, 2023

Bolden just happy to be part of Philippines history

Wellington: It should have come as no surprise that the Philippines’ first ever goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup would be scored by Sarina Bolden.

The 27-year-old has, after all, been at the heart of the Filipinas rapid rise which culminated with the Southeast Asian side sealing a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. 
 
Bolden scored the winning spot-kick in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 quarter-final triumph over Chinese Taipei, a victory that sealed Alen Stajcic’s squad the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup berth and on Tuesday, the midfielder rose above the New Zealand defence to nod home the only goal of their Group A tie at the Wellington Regional Stadium. 

Bell champions Casey Phair as the future of Korea Republic

Wed, 26 Jul, 2023

Bell champions Casey Phair as the future of Korea Republic

Sydney: Head coach Colin Bell has labelled Casey Phair as the future of women’s football in Korea Republic after the 16-year-old became the youngest player in history to appear at the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Tuesday.

The United States-raised striker, who turned 16 on June 29, was introduced as a substitute for Choe Yu-ri in the 78th minute of the 2-0 loss against Colombia in the Group H match at Sydney Football Stadium, to break the record previously held by Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine.

Stajcic: Philippines' win an amazing achievement

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Stajcic: Philippines' win an amazing achievement

Wellington: Head coach Alen Stajcic called it one of the biggest victories in the sporting history of the Philippines after his side claimed a historic first FIFA Women's World Cup win on Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian side stunned co-hosts New Zealand 1-0 thanks to a first-half Sarina Bolden header in front of 32,357 in Wellington.
 
New Zealand, ranked 20 places higher than their opponents, created a string of second-half chances and had a goal disallowed but the Philippines held on for a famous win.
 
It was the Philippines' first victory at either a men's or women's FIFA World Cup and blew Group A wide open with Switzerland and Norway playing to a goalless draw in the group's second match on Tuesday.

Korea Republic can do better, says Bell

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Korea Republic can do better, says Bell

Sydney:  Korea Republic head coach Colin Bell was left frustrated by his team’s display as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ runners-up slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Colombia in their FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 opener on Tuesday.

First half goals from Catalina Usme and Linda Caicedo condemned Bell’s team to the loss and leaves the Koreans with a major challenge to progress from Group H to the knockout rounds ahead of games against Morocco and Germany.