Norway stands in way of Pinays’ hopes to advance in World Cup
The Philippine National Women’s Football Team guns for an outright spot in the knockout stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and another stab at history when it faces heavily-favored Norway at 3 pm today (Manila time), at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Filipinas, currently third in Group A with 3 points behind unbeaten Switzerland and co-hosts New Zealand on goal difference, will advance to the round of 16 without any complications if they beat The Gressshoppene in the crucial encounter.
A draw might even be enough for the Philippines to advance to the knockout rounds, as long as Switzerland beats host New Zealand in the other important fixture in Group A.
Despite the importance of the game against Norway and the odds they are facing, Filipinas’ head coach Alen Stajcic remains focused on the job at hand.
“It’s going to be a big challenge. It’s unbelievable to think that we’re in this position. Any neutral person around the world would have not put any money on us to be in this position. To be ahead of Norway on the league table after two matches was almost unheard of from any neutral pundit,” Stajcic said.
With only a point to show in two games, Norway is expected to go all out against an inspired Philippine side coming off an upset 1-0 win against the host Football Ferns in their last game.
For this, Stacjic is wary of how dangerous an opponent Norway is, especially looking at its successes in the sport as former World Cup champions, Olympic gold medalists, and even having a winner of the Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball, the top individual award of the International Football Federation or FIFA) in its lineup.
“I have a lot of respect for them, they’ve got players playing at the highest level. We know that the challenge is immense and huge, but the World Cup has already produced so many upsets. So why can’t there be another one?” Stajcic added.
Several factors might lessen the odds against the Filipinas. First, Norway has underperformed so far in the tournament, losing to New Zealand, 1-0 in its first game while drawing their match against Switzerland, 0-0.
Second, Norway’s leading scorer Ada Hegerberg will be out of the match after suffering a groin injury. Hegerberg has scored 42 goals so far for the team.
Third, Caroline Grahan Hansen, Barcelona FC teammate Ingrid Syrstad Engen, and Julie Blakstad of Manchester City were dropped from the starting unit.
Reports say Hansen took the issue with Coach Hege Riise, raising the possibility that the Barcelona forward might be left out of the lineup against the Philippines.
This development may also impact the morale of a team with its back already against the wall.
For Stajcic, however, these concerns may even produce positives for their opponents.
“Every team’s got their own issues and just because these may be publicized, we know that all that stuff can be exaggerated but I’m also wary of the wounded animal as well. They would have taken a hit to their pride and they can come out fighting and they are not champions for no reason. Champions always know to fight back and come back. We have to be ready for that,” the Filipinas’ coach said.
Regardless of the pressure and even the high expectations from the team after winning the country’s first-ever World Cup game, Stajcic maintains the Filipinas know and understand what has to be done. The team has matured too despite the comparatively short time that they were together.
“We’ve been together for 18 months now, and we’ve been to four or five different tournaments or qualifiers and we’ve learned the routine of how to refocus whether it’s a good result or whether it’s a bad result quickly. And that’s really one of the strengths of this team,” Stajcic added.
All four teams in Group A are still capable of advancing to the knockout stage. A win by New Zealand over Switzerland will even give the Football Ferns the top spot in Group, provided Norway beats the Philippines or holds the Filipinas to a draw.
Norway too can still catch a ride to the last 16 if it beats the Philippines and New Zealand loses to Switzerland.
A draw in both games will send Switzerland and New Zealand to the next round.